Carolyn Jean Miser

Carolyn was born December 1, 1926, in Cliffside, NC, to Lawrence G. and Ruth D. Garvin. She grew up in Avondale, NC. Carolyn graduated from Greensboro College, Greensboro, N.C. in 1947 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She married James Wilson Miser of Nashville, TN on August 29, 1947, at the Avondale United Methodist Church, Avondale, NC, where she remained a member until her death.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and one son, Richard Andrews Miser. She is survived by her children Ruth Miser Courtade (Mark) of Jenison, MI; Alice Miser Schellenberger (William) of Baraboo, WI; and James Wilson Miser, Jr. (Laura) of Batavia, OH. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Nancy Badje Miser of Omaha, NE. Carolyn is survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren: USAF Major Jeffrey Miser (Alyson) of Great Falls, MT, and their children, Adriana and Camille; Heather Miser Saunders (Jason) of Des Moines, IA, and their children, Lauralei, Logan and Noelle; Bradley Miser of Omaha, NE; Brendon Courtade (Kristin) of Rochester Hills, MI, and their children, Conor, Logan, Jesse and Zoe; Carolyn Courtade Buck (Daniel) of Holland, MI and their children, Micah and Charlotte; Stephen Courtade of Brooklyn, NY; Kevin Courtade of Indianapolis, IN; Lindsay Miser of Punta Gorda, FL; Jaimie Miser and Sarah Miser of Batavia, OH.

Carolyn began raising her family in 1948 and moved to Berea, Ohio, in 1954 while her husband worked as an engineer for NASA at the Lewis Lab in Cleveland. Carolyn enjoyed playing piano and accompanying for budding musicians at the high school and college level for many years. She served as accompanist or director for her church’s adult choir and directed children’s choirs. She played piano in the orchestra for the Berea Summer Theater and Berea High School musicals for decades. Carolyn was an active member of United Methodist Women in living the mission of Faith, Hope and Love in Action. Carolyn and Jim retired to the Chase Community in 1979. She continued to volunteer, accompany church choirs, and joined the staff at Isothermal Community College where she helped establish the Isotones as show choir and loved to tour with them. Carolyn was a member of the Lucille Wall Music Club. She was a founding supporter and volunteer for the Chase Corner United Methodist Ministries since it opened in Henrietta, NC in 1979. Carolyn moved to Michigan following her husband’s death in 2013 to live with her family.

A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at the Avondale United Methodist Church, Henrietta, NC. A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments and remembrances will be shared. A musical Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2016 in the Sanctuary of the United Methodist Church of Berea, OH. Her ashes will be placed with her husband’s in the Memorial Garden Repository. A reception will follow the service at the church.

Condolence cards may be sent to the family of Carolyn Miser, c/o Ruth Miser Courtade, at 7105 Rockhill Dr., Jenison, MI 49428.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Avondale United Methodist Church, PO Box 266, Henrietta, NC 28076, or Chase Corner Ministries, PO Box 327, Henrietta, NC 28076.

The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guest book at www.cookcares.com.