Carolyn Brown Jenkins

Carolyn was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Grady and Agnes Brown on May 14th, 1947, and raised in Rossville, GA. Carolyn was an excellent student and graduated from Rossville High School before attending and graduating from Lipscomb University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1970. It was in her sophomore year at Lipscomb when she would meet her future husband, Robert Randall (Randy) Jenkins. Their first date was attending the Lettermen in concert, and Randy confessed he knew she was “the one” when he stepped out of the car on a date and came back to find she had changed the radio to the Braves game. During their junior year, Randy told Carolyn that he had found a dead horse and took her to Percy Werner Park in Nashville under the guise of trying to find it again. There he chose a beautiful spot and proposed to her. They would marry on June 8, 1970, and move to Acworth, Georgia, where Carolyn taught at Acworth Elementary. In 1974, Randy and Carolyn surprised their families by moving to Miami having received positions at the Atlantic Christian Schools. They lived in Miami for two years and had many adventures together. One of the most memorable was taking their newly-bought boat to a ramp just to realize they had no idea how to get it into the water. They did eventually figure it out by watching how everyone else did it and had fun traveling the canals, fishing in the bay, and exploring the Everglades. After Miami, they returned to Acworth, Georgia, where Randy taught math and coached football and track at Sprayberry High School and Carolyn taught first grade. In 1977, their family grew when Carolyn gave birth to her daughter, Andrea. Soon after, the family expanded with the birth of her son, Robert, in 1980. Carolyn took a break from teaching for few years to raise her children and would say this was the happiest time of her life. After five years, she returned to teaching; first, at Blackwell Elementary, and, finally, at Acworth Elementary where she would finish her teaching career and ultimately retire in 2005. While at Acworth Elementary, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year.

In 1994, the Jenkins family grew once again when they met an exchange student named Katja Keller. She fit perfectly into the Jenkins crew and was swiftly considered to be a daughter and sister. Carolyn would also consider Katja’s husband, Alan Russell, to be her son-in-law and their children, Katarina and Amelia, to be her own grandchildren and loved having them as part of her family.

In 2007, Carolyn lost the love of her life when Randy lost his fight with cancer. Together they had shared 37 beautiful years full of laughter, love, and adventure. Though the loss was immense, Carolyn took comfort in knowing that Randy’s eternal home was in Heaven, and she would be with him again one day. Through this tragedy she never stopped finding joy in living a full life with family and friends. That joy multiplied over and over when she became grandmother to her son Robby’s four children, who affectionately knew her as “Gammy.”

Carolyn’s love for her family was matched only by her love of God as she had a true servant’s heart. She would write letters every week to people who were sick, hurting, or just needed someone to reach out. She was a longtime member of the Piedmont Road church of Christ and taught the Cradle Roll class for many years. Carolyn would help anyone in need without hesitation to the best of her abilities. She was such a blessing to so many.

Carolyn was an amazing cook, a compassionate friend, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, a caring sister, and so much more. She loved to garden and enjoyed being outdoors, but her favorite place was the beach.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Andrea Jenkins; son, Robert Randall Jenkins Jr and wife Amanda; daughter, Katja Russell and husband Alan; her six grandchildren, Miranda, Genevieve, Benjamin, and Lorelei Jenkins, and Katarina and Amelia Russell; brother, Larry Brown and wife Connie; sister-in-law, Donna Jenkins Hill and husband James, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 1pm Saturday November 4, 2023 at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home Chapel. Jake Sutton officiating. Interment Pine Ridge Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Georgia Agape, Rainbow Omega in Eastaboga, AL, or Youth Villages.