Carol Tillman Bland Dolson

She was born on August 4, 1938, to Daniel Edd Bland and Mary Alice Thomas Bland.

She grew up in a large family of loving and supportive uncles, aunts and cousins. She graduated from Eastman High School in 1956 where she was editor of the yearbook and the annual. Among other superlatives, she was voted Miss Senior.

She entered the University of Georgia where she joined the Red and Black staff and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. After two years, she put college on hold to be married and move to Rome, Georgia where she lived for the next 35 years. During these years, she raised three daughters and was involved in all their activities. She served a term as president of Darlington Lower School Parent’s Association. She was also active in the community where she was president of Green Thumb Garden Club and secretary of the Junior Service League. She was co-owner of British Bits ‘n’ Pieces, an antique import business. In 1971, Gov. Jimmy Carter appointed her to the Commission on the Status of Women, and she was invited to arrange flowers at the Governor’s Mansion during his term.

When her children entered college, she decided to finish her degree. She took classes at Shorter University and Berry College, Rome and Corpus Christie College, Oxford, England. She finished at the University of Georgia, Athens receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and graduated with honors. She won the Readers Digest Award for Feature Writing and the Jamie Connell Award for Feature Photography.

After college she wrote for a variety of magazines – from Georgia Journal to Glimpses of Guam and Micronesia – and her photography appeared on several covers. Later, she wrote four award-winning children’s books.

In 1995, she moved to Atlanta and eventually became director of Anne Irwin Fine Art. It was in the gallery that she met Richard Rhey Dolson. After discovering they had much in common, they were married a year later in the University of Georgia Chapel. Hairy Dawg rang the chapel bell to end the ceremony. Athens became their home.

She became involved in the Georgia Museum of Art and was a docent for many years, serving a term as president. She also served on The Collectors board.

She loved growing and arranging flowers and studied at the Constance Spry Flower School in London, England. She was a Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judge, life member, and a Master Gardener.

History was a special interest, especially family history. She was a member of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America, Washington, D.C. chapter; Daughters of the American Revolution, Xavier chapter, Rome, Ga.; First Families of Georgia; Order of the Crown of Charlemagne; and The National Society Americans of Royal Descent.

She loved to travel. At last count, she had visited all 50 states, all seven continents, 112 countries, spent time in Antarctica, and traveled above the Arctic Circle. She especially loved trips to England and Italy.

But her favorite place in the world was Athens, Georgia. She loved the people, the history, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Bulldawgs. She became an avid fan after her first game with her father at age four. And she was in the stadium to see Georgia win in all three National Championships, the win over Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, and the win over Notre Dame in South Bend. Her happy place was in her Sanford Stadium seats with family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Jerry L. Minge.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Rhey Dolson; daughters: Mary Angela Minge, Jennifer Tillman Bland, and Anne Marguerite Minge Poe (Kevin); grandchildren: Carol Marguerite Poe Malone (Jacob), Kevin Christopher Poe, Jr. (Caitlin), and Sarah Elizabeth Poe Taliaferro (John); great-grandchildren: Meredith Elle Malone, Poppy Marguerite and Colin James Poe; Bryce Anne and Avery Rose Taliaferro; sister, Patsy Bland McLeod and brother, Daniel Edd Bland, Jr.; stepsons: Richard Rhey Dolson Jr. (Barbara), Georg Louis Dolson (Nikole), and John Cline Dolson (Kimrick); step-grandchildren: Mia, Gena, Avery, Richard III, Nancy, Cline, Henry, Winifred and Wells Dolson.

As much as she loved flowers, it was Carol’s wish that any memorial gifts be sent to Athens First Presbyterian Church building debt or The UGA Foundation, specifying The Georgia Museum of Art.

A family service will be held at a later date.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Services has charge of the arrangements.