Carolyn R. Bliss

Carolyn was born in Washington, DC, January 28,1944. She lived in her parents home in Arlington, Virginia until 2013 when she moved to The Fountains at Washington House located in Alexandria. She is the daughter of the late Thorndike and Irma Bliss and is survived by her older brother, Robert Bliss and his wife, Sheila.

At a very early age Carolyn developed a fascination with horses. At 6 years of age she began riding lessons during summers at Maderia School in McLean, Virginia. She rode horses with that school until going off to college. After college, Carolyn was very successful with her own horse, Mountain Rebel, and won many ribbons and trophies in Fairfax County horse shows. Carolyn also enjoyed fox hunts in Fairfax and Loudon counties for a number of years. She especially enjoyed riding her horse in the Fall in the International Horse Shows held in the Washington DC National Guard Armory.

Carolyn attended Southern Seminary Junior College in Buena Vista, Virginia and graduated in 1964 with an Associate in Science Degree. After graduation, Carolyn was employed by the Air Force at the Pentagon while living at home. She was able to buy her first horse, Linus, and boarded and rode him in Burke, Virginia for two years. She donated Linus to Southern Seminary's riding program. Carolyn's favorite horse, Mountain Rebel, was a registered half-thoroughbred, whom she loved and rode for 25 years. He lived to be 33 years old. Carolyn owned 5 horses over the years.

Carolyn continued living in the family home after both parents died and brother Robert had become a Naval officer and settled in California with his wife, Sheila. Carolyn worked in government service at various agencies as an administrative secretary for 35 years. In her years she worked for the Air Force at the Pentagon, the Navy at the Navy Annex, the Marines at the Navy Annex, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, the National Forest Service, and the Department of Energy. During a 6 year leave of absence from work, Carolyn cared for her mother during her mother’s final days. Carolyn also was employed by Fourth Presbyterian Church, the Christian Freedom Foundation and the National Institute for the Severely Handicapped for brief periods of time. Returning to government service she worked for the Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture before retiring in August of 2008.

After retirement, Carolyn's battle with osteoarthritis progressed. Following multiple knee arthroscopic surgeries, she began a marathon of 5 joint replacements in 2012. During the time of surgeries and rehabilitation she lived in a nursing home. The family home was sold and Carolyn subsequently moved to the Fountains at Washington House in 2013.

Carolyn loved to sing and play the piano. She sang in church choirs and special singing groups all her life and especially enjoyed singing in harmony. Carolyn was also a gifted artist. She loved to paint horses and kittens with oils and acrylics. Carolyn was an active church member all her life, and was grateful to the Lord for all His blessings in her life and for His unconditional love and care for her.

A Graveside Service for Carolyn will be held on Tuesday, December 29th at 2:00 PM at National Memorial Park 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042. For those wishing to attend virtually, a link to the livestream will be available on this page beside the service details below. For those attending in person, all are welcome to gather at 1:30 PM at National Funeral Home 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

A Place Called Heaven

I have a place that waits for me

A place I love, called Calvary

Where angels sing and rejoice all day

And children laugh, run and play.

Here the Masters holds my hand

As we walk through Heavens land.

This is the place Ive dreamed of for so long

So beautiful, so heavenly like the angels song.

-Prayers for Special Help