Ms. Carolyn (Adams) Holmes, daughter of the late Jack Arthur Adams and Willaine Washburn Adams was born on March 16, 1938 in Columbus, Georgia. She attended St. Elmo Elementary, Columbus High School, and Milledgeville College for Women. In 1967 she moved to Rome, Georgia where she received her B.A. and Masters of Education at Berry College.
Growing up, Carolyn’s favorite pastime was going to Lake Huston where her father worked as a Recreation Director. She taught swimming to the younger children and enjoyed fishing with her parents and dog, Mickey. Teenage years, she enjoyed dancing, singing, and art. As an adult, she liked going to antique shops, making silk flower wreaths, and spending time with family and friends.
Sharing God’s love was very important to her. She taught Sunday School to children at Epworth Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia and Ladies Sunday School for many years at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Rome,Georgia. Church is where she said she fell in love with children and decided to be a school teacher: Armuchee Elementary & High School, Glenwood Elementary, Garden Lakes Elementary, retiring in May 2000.
In her later years, Carolyn moved back to Columbus, Georgia to be close to family. She loved playing with her grandbabies and great grandbabies. The last few years she lived at The Gardens at Calvary Assisted Living where she continued to share her love with the other residents and staff.
Carolyn passed away peacefully into God’s arms on Monday, September 29, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Willaine Adams, and her sister, Cecelia Adams.
Her beautiful life will be forever cherished by her children; Gale Webster (Jim) of Columbus, Georgia and Jill Hughes (David) of Dalton, Georgia; grandchildren, Brandon Cain (Tomoko) Seattle, WA, James Webster, Jr. (Shanna) Tucker, GA, Sydney Coffee (Nathon) Columbus, GA; Rob Smith (Katherine) Columbus, OH, Blake Smith, Williamsburg, VA, Olivier Clement (Aisha), Yokosuka, Japan; 10 great grandchildren, niece and nephew, Cecely Singletary and Tyson Grudisher; many great nieces, nephews and cousins; and dear friends including Sherry Carroll Williams and Nancy Dehart, who were there for her always.
Her generous heart, never-ending smile, unconditional love, and precious hugs will be so missed.
A Celebration of Carolyn’s Life will be 3:00 pm Friday, October 3, 2025, in the Fisher Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA, with Dr. Don Wilhite officiating. Burial to follow in Parkhill Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be 1 hour prior to the service.
