Carolyn (Carroll) Vinson

Carolyn Carroll Vinson, 67, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 25, 2012 after her battle with cancer. Carolyn was born August 12, 1945 to W. E. (Sam) Carroll and Lorraine George Carroll. She was a longtime resident of Blooming Grove. She was a devoted and loving wife, sister, aunt and great aunt. At age five, she was a victim of polio. After several years of surgeries and therapy, she was confined to a wheelchair. Even though she was not physically strong, she graduated as valedictorian in 1963 from Blooming Grove High School. She attended Navarro College for two years and then convinced her parents that she could stand the pressure and obstacles of a four year college and living away from home. She graduated from UTA with a bachelor's degree degree in English. After graduating from UTA, she received her masters degree in library science from North Texas State University. In the fall of 1969, she moved to Houston to be the head cataloger at Harris County Public Library. That job only lasted 7 months due to salary being too low to pay for her needed necessities. She returned home in the spring of 1970. Since there were no openings for librarians in Corsicana, she decided to teach English and history at Collins Middle School. Carolyn always wanted to feel independent. After the coaxing of one of her students, she decided to drive herself to work. For her the best expression for her independence was driving her van. She loved the feeling of power while driving. In 1983, Carolyn became the librarian at Blooming Grove School. After serving that position until 2000, she retired to spend time reading, watching movies, swimming, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She also volunteered at the Blooming Grove City Library and the B.G. Historical Society. During her thirty years in the public school system, she touched the lives of many students and friends. Carolyn once said: "As any woman, I want to have a home and family. But if God does not want that for me, He'll give me the strength to be content in whatever status I'm in. And as long as I am able, I want to be with people and spread my own kind of joy and sunshine." On June 26, 2004, Carolyn married Tommy Vinson. They shared the last eight years enjoying their animals: Jack, Sassy, Onyx, Tiger and Baby Blue and the companionship of each other. She was preceded in death by her parents Lorraine and Sam Carroll. Survivors included her husband , Tommy Vinson; her brother and sister in law, Bill and Jerri Carroll of Carrollton; sister and brother in law, Mary Frances and Ron Waldrip of Corsicana; and other beloved family members and friends. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2 pm Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Central Baptist Church in Blooming Grove with Darren Heil, H. Edward Ricks and Gordon Griffin officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Vinson, Bob Keasler, Raymond Prestidge, Wade Carroll, Will Carroll, Josh Waldrip and Justin Waldrip. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Family First Hospice and Carolyn's caregivers over the past several years, especially Shannon Morris and Debbie Lovett, devoted friend and caregiver. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, the Ruth Ramsey Scholarship, the Blooming Grove Historical Society, ASPCA, or the American Cancer Society.

Carolyn (Carroll) Vinson

August 12, 1945 - October 25, 2012