The seventh of eight children, she was born July 6, 1930, daughter of Joseph Randolph and Lyda Eva Skidmore Ellington. Growing up in Cramerton, NC, she sewed her own clothes, participated in basketball and swim teams at Cramerton High School, and enjoyed fishing in the nearby Catawba River. She met Charles William Ripley while waitressing at the local cafe. After graduation from Mars Hill Junior College, they married on November 26, 1950, and celebrated 63 years of marriage prior to Charlie’s death in 2013.
Charlie’s work required multiple moves (Cramerton, Greensboro, Halifax, VA, South Hill, VA, Chattanooga, TN, and Cleveland, TN, before settling in Greensboro again in 1967). Carolyn seamlessly managed their transitions, acclimating their family of four children to new homes, churches, schools, communities, and friendships. A member of First Baptist, Greensboro, for 57 years, she served as a Deacon, chair of the Denominational Relations Committee, member of Baptismal, Missions, and Recreation committees, president of Women on Missions, and Sunday School teacher. She and Charlie participated in church mission and Habitat for Humanity trips to Chile, Jordan, Czechia, South Carolina, Georgia, and West Virginia. They enjoyed trips to Europe, Israel, Egypt, and throughout the United States. UNC basketball and football games took them to Chapel Hill and post season tournament sites. They made Wrightsville Beach a second home, hosting friends and family, walking the beach, rocking on the porch and breathing the salt air.
Carolyn played tennis and bridge, learned bread making and ceramics, and volunteered in local schools. She created lovely floral arrangements with her garden clubs. After Charlie’s death, she drove herself to Wrightsville, where she spent much of each spring and fall. At home, she walked two miles a day, attended exercise classes, and remained active in her women’s circle and Sunday School Class. The highlight of her year was the annual gathering of 30+ family members for Ripley Beach Week. An early adopter of social media, she learned to use an iPhone, iPad, and Apple watch to keep up with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She shared pictures and texts, her comments filled with emojis and a quick wit.
A stroke in December 2016 left her with little use of her right arm and limited mobility. Before she left hospital rehab, she had learned to sign her name with her left hand. Her strong will and perseverance allowed her to live with an amazing amount of independence until the last few months of her life.
She is survived by her children: Carol Ripley-Moffitt & Matthew, of Chapel Hill, Bill Ripley, of Durham, Ken Ripley & Jean, of Greensboro, and Suzanne Ripley Weston & Jeff, of Wilmington; nine grandchildren: Anna Ripley-Moffitt Weiner & Adam, Rachel Ripley-Moffitt Gorman & Sean, Liz Sorrell, Josh Sorrell & Courtney Endres, Cameron Ripley & Adrian Beccera, Kenny Ripley & Kelly, Chris Ripley, Zachary Weston, Courtney Weston Trachtman & Ben; 12 great- grandchildren, with another due mid-February; brother John Ellington & Pat, of Wilmington; 10 nieces, 8 nephews and their families. In addition to her parents and husband, she is predeceased by two sisters and four brothers.
The family appreciates the support and care she received at Well Spring from friends and staff. A service to celebrate Carolyn’s life will be held at First Baptist Church, 1000 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, 27401 at 2:30 pm on Friday, February 7th. A family Committal Service at Westminster Gardens will precede the church service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolyn’s memory may be made to the Greensboro chapter of Habitat for Humanity, 3826 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407,https://habitatgreensboro.org/ or to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, (address above), https://fbcgso.org/.
