Shirley (Bumgardner) Carswell

Shirley Bumgardner Carswell, 89, died at Abernathy Laurels assisted living in Conover, NC on July 1, 2022. She was born on May 12, 1933 to Everett and Irene (Shuford) Bumgardner, on a small farm in Lincolnton, NC and was third in the line of four daughters. Growing up on a working farm, she and her sisters were often recruited as a farm hands to help conduct the daily business of agriculture, from feeding the farm animals to building a barn. Shortly after graduating from Lincolnton High School in 1951, she met William (Bill) Carswell. They were married in Lincolnton on March 8, 1952.

As an Army enlistee, Bill was stationed all over the world; Shirley was by his side throughout his journeys and transfers. Along the way, she gave birth to their four children, two boys and two girls. Following Bill’s retirement from the military, the family settled in Hickory, NC. While raising their children, Shirley worked fulltime sewing chair cushions at Frye Furniture, and later, Classic Leather. As her husband’s health declined, she also became his primary caregiver until his death in 1988. In 1998, after more than 30 years of service, Shirley retired from the furniture industry.

Shirley will be remembered for her kind heart, her love of friends and family, her curious and mischievous grin, and her beautiful alto voice. For more than 20 years, she was a fixture in the Fairgrove United Methodist Church choir, where she was often a featured soloist and an active participant of the NC Extension and Community Association. She enjoyed travel, leaping at any opportunity, and often exclaimed that her middle name was “Go.” Through her travels, she visited nearly all 50 states and several countries. She was consumed by the passion for all creatures great and small, and loved anything with wings, including birds, butterflies, and especially angels.

Shirley is survived by her children, William Dean Carswell and wife Joey; Vicki Carswell Brent; Rebecca (Becky) Carswell Miller and husband Ronnie, all of Hickory, NC; as well as Randy Alan Carswell and husband Todd Feldman, of Washington, DC. Also surviving are three grandchildren: Adam Phillips, Jason Carswell, and Jessica Carswell; and two great-grandchildren, Elijah and Luna. In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley is preceded in death by her sisters Yvonne Helms, Bettie Keener, and Emily Kiser, and her grandson Stephen Phillips.

A private graveside service will be held at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory where Shirley will be laid to rest next to her husband of 36 years. At her request, her headstone is engraved with, “And the Angels Sing.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shirley Carswell Tribute page at the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) page.