Carolyn Green Boatwright, 85, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
She was born Carolyn Lee Steadman on November 22, 1936, in Columbus, Mississippi, but was also lovingly known as “KaKa”, “Granny” and “Grandma” to her beloved family.
She graduated from West Point High School and attended Mississippi State University. In 1967, while working at First Baptist Church in Starkville, she met and married Donald Walton Boatwright, originally from Lexington, MS.
In 1997, Carolyn retired from the Cooperative Extension Service at Mississippi State University, where she worked as an administrative secretary for 30 years.
She was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church and happily volunteered her time to help with her Sunday school class and numerous other church events and activities. She was a loving and kind person who cared about her family, friends and her community and was very active in the Starkville Civic League. She was the quintessential southern lady – sweet, soft spoken, even tempered, and loved cooking for her family. She never missed a birthday, anniversary or special event and always made everyone feel loved and appreciated.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Walton Boatwright; sisters, Betty Travis Naugle and Frances Green Womack; parents, Hugh Lee Steadman and Pearl Miller Steadman Green Woodward; an infant brother, Hugh Lee Steadman, Jr.; and step-niece Sandy W. Knaebel of Washington, MO.
She is survived by her son, David Walton Boatwright (Bonnie) of Columbus, Indiana; a daughter, Donna Frances Boatwright Rupp (Jeffrey) of Starkville; nieces, Nina Naugle Johnston (Carey) of Canton, MS, Nancy Naugle Haney (Joe) of Alexandria, VA, and Allision Naugle McGinn (Bernie) of Alexandria, VA.
She also has two grandsons, Thomas Walton Boatwright and Brennan David Boatwright of Columbus, Indiana; two granddaughters, Taylor Jackson Rupp and Ellis Emerson Rupp of Starkville; and great nephews, Christopher (Amanda) Johnston, Dr. Daniel Johnston (Tracie); and great nieces, Anne Haney, Sara Brady McGinn, and Elizabeth McGinn. In addition to several other great-great nieces and nephews.
In addition, the family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the wonderful caregivers who loved her like family and treated her with such great compassion and devotion over the years. These special ladies include Brenda Dixon, Shanetta Bradford, Jeaniese Chandler, Vanessa Townsend and Natunya Taylor.
Visitation is scheduled for Friday, June 10th at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church in Starkville, MS with the service to follow at 3 p.m. Rev. Jim Genesse will conduct the service. Burial will be at Oddfellows Cemetery in Starkville.
To honor Carolyn’s life, she has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the music ministry at First United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choosing.
