Mrs. Carolyn Manley Simpson

Carolyn Manley Simpson was born in August 1943 in Pendleton, SC. The first of three children, she was small in stature, but full of determination and heart. She was raised on the Pendleton mill hill, and textiles were always part of her life. She married her high school sweetheart Jack, with whom she raised three daughters: Angie, Darleen, and Julie. Throughout her life, Carolyn found ways to faithfully serve her Lord. She was active in her church, beginning early in life as a piano accompanist and later serving with the youth program and as a Sunday School teacher at Salem First Baptist Church. Carolyn and her family attended Walhalla First Baptist Church, where, in her retirement, she joined the flower committee, played handbells, and served as an Awana teacher. She also worked in the church nursery and with Vacation Bible School. In all of these opportunities and in her pew during church services, Carolyn joyfully served the Lord, singing hymns, loving others, and anchoring her family in her Christian faith. Carolyn’s determination was always apparent, even from a young age. As an elementary school student, her first-grade teacher wanted to retain her, not because of poor grades but because of her small stature relative to the other students. Carolyn’s mother defended her daughter, which enabled her to progress to the next grade where she proceeded to prove herself a more than capable student. This academic prowess continued throughout her life. She was the first member of her family to graduate from college, earning a B.A. in Business Administration from Central Wesleyan College (SWU) followed by a B.S. in Textile Technology from Clemson University. She inspired all three of her daughters and granddaughters to follow in her footsteps in graduating from college and obtaining additional degrees. In her role as an administrative assistant and later textile technologist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service’s Cotton Quality Research Station at Clemson University, she aided in the testing of cotton fibers, contributing to at least three published research articles, including “Effects of Mechanical Cleaning on Cotton Fibers: Part II: Combinations of Gin and Mill Cleaning-Fiber Quality (1991)”. She also served as the Federal Women’s Program Manager for the USDA-ARS Southern Region from 1980 to 1983. Carolyn retired after more than thirty years of service with the federal government. She used her retirement time to demonstrate her vast kindness and generous heart. Her kindness was evident through her ministry with friendship breads: she seemed to always have one in the freezer or the oven, ready to give to anyone who needed some care. Carolyn is perhaps most memorable for her passions: running, eating ice cream, and spending time with her three granddaughters, who lovingly call her “Nana.” In her free time, she took up running, building a community of friends from Clemson to take daily runs around campus. She also competed in 5K runs across the upstate and proudly finished first in her age bracket in the Clemson University Presidential Road Race while her family cheered her on. Much of the rest of her free time was spent at Myrtle Beach, where she and Jack would set up their camper and spend weeks at a time, making new friends, reacquainting with old ones, and frequenting the campground ice cream shop. She also doted on her granddaughters, traveling to as many of their activities and events as possible. She was a remarkable woman who shared a smile and a joyful spirit with all who were fortunate enough to cross her path. She leaves behind a rich legacy of a life anchored in the love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was welcomed into her eternal home by her parents, Frank and Louise Manley; her husband, Jack Simpson; and her grandson, Trey Sutton. Her legacy will be carried on by her three daughters: Angela Lemere and husband Brian, Darleen Sutton and husband Jimmy, and Julie Sigmon and husband Eric; her granddaughters: Meredith Sutton, Molly Sutton, and Gabriella Sigmon; and her siblings: Barbara Jean and Terry Manley. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 5th with visitation from 1:00 -2:00 PM at Walhalla First Baptist Church in Walhalla, SC. The service will follow at the church at 2:00 PM. A graveside service will follow at Memory Gardens (586 Issaqueena Trail, Central, SC) at 3:45 PM. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to the Children’s Ministry at Walhalla First Baptist Church in memory of Carolyn Simpson.

Mrs. Carolyn Manley Simpson

August 30, 1943 - October 1, 2024