Mrs. Carol Bailes Garland

Carol Bailes Garland, 62, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on September 18, 2025, at the Cottingham Hospice House. Born Christmas Day 1962 to Lamar and Rosemary Bailes of Walhalla, SC, Carol discovered her passion for teaching at an early age, helping her classmates learn to read in the 1st grade. Carol would go on to diligently navigate a career dedicated to education. She retired in 2020 having served in the School District of Oconee County, SC for over 30 years. In that time, she taught at Walhalla Middle School, Code Elementary School, and Walhalla Elementary School. She concluded her formal education career right back where she started, as a reading specialist working one-on-one teaching children to read. Though Carol’s career was dedicated to teaching, some of her favorite jobs early in life were driving a school bus as a senior in high school, tending to horses in the summer at High Hampton in Cashiers, NC, keeping shop at the old Goldenmart Store in Walhalla, and serving fried chicken at KFC in Seneca, SC. She often spoke fondly of her memories during those times, as many involved the early days of a relationship that would become a 40-year marriage to her husband Tony Earl Garland of Seneca, SC. Though many knew Carol as a teacher, her family will remember her most as Mama to three boys, “Ginga” to five grandchildren, a steadfast wife, loving daughter and sister, and dedicated believer in the eternal salvation of Jesus. Her time with children in the home spanned 34 years, raising three sons. Throughout her life, she served her family and the community in countless ways. As a member of Welcome Wesleyan Church in Seneca, SC, Carol invested many hours behind the scenes, helping to produce children’s plays, put on vacation bible school, driving the youth group to Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, and Orlando, FL, teaching Sunday school, keeping babies in the nursery, and preparing food for many church meals and special occasions. She showed others how to serve by doing. Carol preferred to be far from the spotlight but was stubbornly relentless in her dedication to service, often fulfilling background roles to support the mission of her church: making believers in Christ. Carol’s family will carry the memories of her and the joy she leaves behind all of their days. Her service and sacrifice throughout life and the bravery with which she faced trying times and illness will forever stoke a fire in their hearts to be the best children of God they can be. Carol is preceded in death by her brother, Elbert Lamar “Tres” Bailes, III; father, Elbert “Lamar” Bailes, Jr.; and father-in-law, Frank Earl Garland. She is survived by her husband, Tony Earl Garland; mother, Rosemary Fort Bailes; three sons: Austin (Rainey Patterson) Garland, Walt (Rayelle Asche) Garland, and Camp Garland; five grandchildren: EsméJade, Linley, Garrick, Solrhea, and Charles; mother-in-law, Joanne Garland; sister-in-law Gail Garland (Ralph) Cox; and nephews Forrest (Bailey) Cox and Connor Cox. The family will receive family, friends, and all who wish to attend at a celebration of Carol's life at Biggerstaff Retreat, 398 Biggerstaff Rd, Seneca, SC on Sunday, October 5th at 3pm. Please dress comfortable and casual for an outdoor service, bring a folding chair, and carpool if able. Light refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s memory may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Mrs. Carol Bailes Garland

December 25, 1962 - September 18, 2025