Carolyn R. Bush

Carolyn R. Bush (80) passed away on May 28, 2024, at her home in Lenoir, N.C.

Carolyn was born on August 30, 1943, in Lenoir, N.C., to the late Ralph Newland Bush and the late Hazel Marie Poe Bush. Carolyn was a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to many — she loved purple, she loved shopping, she loved collecting elephant figurines and she loved Gogo (her late dog), but most of all, she loved God, her family and friends.

Carolyn graduated from Lenoir High School in 1961. Upon graduation, she began work at Broyhill Furniture to earn money and pursue her dream of living in New York City. Carolyn moved to the Big Apple at 18, joined The New York Young Republican Club and started a successful career in finance and publishing. Carolyn also worked at Local 798 Make-Up Artists and Hairstylists, New York for nine years.

Her career allowed Carolyn to travel the world — from traveling to the Great Wall of China and the tomb of Tutankhamun (Egypt) to the Taj Mahal (India) and many other destinations around the world. Carolyn was even able to own a second home in Palm Springs, California, where she enjoyed golf, tennis and organizing chess tournaments while living there part-time.

Though New York City was Carolyn’s home for almost 40 years, she often visited Lenoir and always kept in touch with loved ones by sending postcards and souvenir packages from far away places.

Always making it her mission to make family events fun, family members will always have fond memories of Carolyn hiding Easter eggs with money inside, providing prizes for New Year’s Eve Bingo parties and going outside with family members to bang pots and pans in celebration of the new year.

After moving back to Lenoir in 2000, Carolyn worked at Bernhardt Furniture Company, worked at Belk department store and joined Lower Creek Baptist Church. Pastor Kevin Burns, said “Carolyn was always a willing servant and would help wherever she was needed.” She enjoyed the Children’s Ministry, where she taught Sunday School and helped in the nursery.

One of Carolyn’s other favorite activities was socializing with friends. She loved planning high school reunions with her best friend and attending each event. Carolyn extended her friendship to everyone and treated everyone like family, so she enjoyed many different friend groups. Carolyn was funny, very generous and always genuine — she will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her brother, Newland “Sonnie” Bush, sister Juanita Bush Setzer, nephew Reginald “Reggie” Setzer, sister-in-law Jane Brown Bush and brother-in-law Thomas Justin Setzer.

Family members left to cherish Carolyn’s memory include: sister Linda Bush Spicer and husband Charles Spicer and sister Pixie Bush. Nieces and nephews (plus great and great great nieces and nephews) include: Nathaniel Bush, Drew Bryant, Janean Spicer Flowe and husband Greg Flowe, Jason Flowe, Justin Flowe, Dawn Setzer Gordon, Baylee Gordon, Cameron Helton and wife Kendall Helton, Liam Helton, Dustin Helton and wife Stephanie Helton, Savannah Helton, Rebecca Bush Kimble and husband Kevin Kimble, Jacob Kimble, Matthew Kimble, Kirra Laws-Bush, Teresa Setzer Mozo, Georgia Setzer Petersen and husband Bruce Petersen, Allison Setzer Price and husband Terry Price, Joshua Price, Lucas Price, Heather Setzer, Keith Setzer and wife Kim Shoun Setzer, Madison Setzer, Sean Spicer, Alex Spicer, plus Celena Patella and Devon Benedetti.

A service to celebrate Carolyn’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Lower Creek Baptist Church, Lenoir. Pastor Kevin Burns will officiate. Family will begin receiving guests at 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Flowers are accepted and memorial contributions may be made to: Lower Creek Baptist Church, Children’s Ministry, 633 Lower Creek Dr. NE, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Carolyn R. Bush.