Carolyn S. Graham, age 75, of Belvidere, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois. She was born March 28, 1950, to Ronald and Marilyn Russell in Dixon, Illinois. She graduated from Dixon High School, and later attended Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. She married the love of her life, Bruce A. Graham, on November 25, 1997.
Carolyn was appointed as an executive sales representative and helped to open a new office for QPS Staffing in Rockford, Illinois. The new office quickly became one of the most successful agencies in the company with Carolyn spearheading the sales. She also enjoyed her position on the Board of Directors for MELD, a local charitable organization. With the combination of her noted outstanding charitable fundraising success, along with her high-level achievements in her sales career, she was nominated as a candidate for “Woman of the Year” for the city of Rockford, Illinois, where she finished as the runner-up candidate.
Regardless of her many successful career accomplishments, she was most proud to be an extremely dedicated, loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Bruce A. Graham; brother, Richard (Janet) Russell; children, Roger F. Cannon Jr, Sheri Brietska, Tricia Graham, and Tracy Graham; grandchildren, along with numerous cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Marilyn Russell.
A visitation will be held for Carolyn on Wednesday, December 10, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd., Machesney Park, IL 61115, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
