Carol French

February 24, 1944 – June 16, 2023

Called home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 16, 2023, Carol French was the loving wife of Roger T. French, Sr. for nearly 60 years, and devoted mother to Traci C. Arndt (d.), Nicole M. Cohen (Paul), Danielle F. Cumberland (Kelly), Melinda J. French (Carlos), and Roger T. French, Jr. She was “Grammy” to 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Traci Carol Arndt, and granddaughter, Lydia Clare Cumberland, as well as her sister, Jeanne Miles and brother, Wayne Johnson.

Carol was born in Baltimore, Maryland, with family roots going back multiple generations in Solomon’s Island, Maryland. She met the love of her life, Roger T. French, in high school, where she once said, “I wouldn’t marry that Roger French if he was the last man on earth!” But her feelings on that point apparently changed and they married June 30, 1963.

Carol was known to all for her exuberant, warm personality and her incredible talent at sewing and crafting. She devoted decades of service to the church: singing in the choir, running the children’s programs, designing costuming and set pieces for children’s productions and faithfully praying for anyone and everyone who had need. Over the years, she donated many hundreds of hours to sewing projects for friends and family or, sometimes, complete strangers. She sewed “dignity bibs” for residents at nursing homes, so they would have fun and beautiful coverage during meals. She made and tailored many prom gowns, wedding gowns, bridesmaids gowns and special occasion clothing and costumes. She recovered furniture by hand and made curtains, quilts, tablecloths, and myriad other items for her own home and the homes of friends and family.

Fiercely intelligent and with high standards, she raised five kids to love books and music, gardening and crafts, sewing and art. She loved word games, puzzles and puns. She loved to laugh and be with friends.

In the last months, she was cared for by husband, Roger, and daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Carlos. She was with two of her children as she crossed over to Glory. We will all miss her warmth, her zest for life and her friendly smile. Interment will be private.