Carolyn Holmes Marchman

Carolyn Virginia Holmes Marchman, age 92, died in Stone Mountain, Georgia on December 8, 2022. She is survived by her sister, Linda Holmes Garrett, daughter, Mary Lynn Marchman Weatherly (Thomas), son, Lee Tarver Marchman (Grace), granddaughters, Lauren Weatherly McDow (Randolph) and Camilla Emily Marchman, and grandson, Francesco James Marchman. Great-grandsons, Eston Thomas McDow and William Randolph McDow were frequent visitors in her final years in assisting living and were such a delight for Carolyn.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina July 15, 1930, Carolyn lived in several communities, but most years were spent in Sandersville and Stone Mountain, Georgia. She celebrated her 70 ^th wedding anniversary to her Sandersville high school sweetheart, Billy Marchman, and resided with him in assisted living in Stone Mountain until his death in 2020. Adored by her caregivers in assisted living, she was kind to them, she smiled often, and she frequently expressed gratitude, seldom complaining. Wherever she lived, she made an impact through her school, her church, and her community involvement, bringing joy to groups through her kindness, dependability, and fun spirit.

Carolyn adapted well to many circumstances and made the best of whatever challenges came her way. Her varied successes in many endeavors were recognized when she was voted Miss S.H.S., Most Versatile, and Best All Around at Sandersville High School where she was also editor of the school paper, on Student Council, on yearbook staff, a cheerleader, and participated in several other clubs. Further evidence of her competence in many areas was her love of literature that was equaled by her love of a budget spreadsheet with lots of numbers. She first attended Mercer University as an English Literature major, then later graduated from Georgia State University with majors in finance and economics. She retired as Chief Budget Analyst for Fulton County, but she always had a stack of library books, and she read at least two a week for many years.

In her adult years, Carolyn was involved in community life through service clubs and church. In Stone Mountain, she worked on committees in the Womans’ Club and Stone Mountain First Baptist Church where she also served as church children’s choir mom. In Sandersville, she was in the Sorosis Club, then later volunteered at the Brown House Museum, served on the First Baptist Church Bereavement Committee, taught adult Sunday School classes, and was “great grandmother” choir mom for the children and Awana group.

She was many things to many people and very much loved by those who knew her, but one of the greatest legacies Carolyn Marchman leaves was her willingness to champion diversity and inclusiveness. Beginning in the late 1940’s, she was a vocal equal rights advocate, and throughout her life, she respected the dignity of all people. It was so fitting that her last hours were in the care of a sweet Congolese Christian lady who prayed over her in English and her native Kinyarwanda language.

In addition to her husband Billy Tucker Marchman, Carolyn Marchman is predeceased by parents, Emmitt Lee Holmes and Hattie Virginia Kelly Holmes, sister, Barbara Holmes Sheppard, and sister, Sarah Holmes Hartley Perry.

A Memorial Service will be held in Sandersville, GA in February, 2023, and an announcement with more details will be available closer to the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Missions Fund, First Baptist Church of Sandersville, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, GA 31082