Carroll Simmons Hawley, age 74, of 1360 Parker Memorial Road, Clinton, NC, passed away Tuesday, July 5th following a brief illness. She is preceded in death by her parents Steve Simmons and Mary Emma Rouse Simmons.

 

She is survived by her high school love and husband of 35 years “Coach” Johnny Hawley, daughter, Beth Wachter Pope (Tracy) of Clinton, NC, son, Mark Wachter of Wilmington, NC, stepdaughter, Summer Hawley Gruber (Matt) of Charlottesville, VA, stepson, Jay Hawley of Greenville, NC, and sisters, Bobbie Staten (Glenn Christie) of Goldsboro and Clinton, and Jean Minton (Phil) of Burlington, NC.  She had 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

 

Carroll taught first grade at Meadow Lane Elementary school in Goldsboro for 30 years. She was an outstanding teacher, making learning fun and making sure all of her children excelled at the end of their first year. She took interest in her children and several still stayed in contact with her for life. You don’t find that often.

 

In addition to teaching, Carroll was an avid gardener. She propagated plants, planted gardens, and landscaped properties in both Goldsboro and Clinton. Her first love was working in her gardens. She woke daily to the joy of the outdoors and spent endless hours tending to her plants.

 

Carroll was creative, could fix anything and was the go to resource for family and friends to solve any problem!  She was an advanced seamstress who tackled projects that included making draperies, sewing clothes, costumes and other projects for her children and friends. She also had a great eye for decorating, both indoor and outdoor.

 

Carroll was a caregiver by nature.  She nurtured those around her no matter the circumstance.   Those that she cared for left in a better way than they’d arrived, and she always made an excuse to go out of her way to ensure that everyone around her had everything that they needed.  Friends, family, and acquaintances benefitted from Carroll’s compassion.   She cared for her mother during her long bought of Alzheimer’s. She had a strong devotion to nature and animals and was preceded in death by Iggy, her beloved Jack Russell Terrier.

 

Visitation will be on Sunday, July 10th  from 2:00-3:00pm at St Paul United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Goldsboro, NC immediately followed with a graveside service at Willowdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and to honor Carroll’s love of gardening, please consider making a donation to the Sampson County Extension Master Gardeners, 55 Agriculture Place, Clinton, NC 28328.