Born in Chattanooga, TN on February 21, 1955, Carol was a proud attendee of Young High School, graduating in the class of 1973--she remained a proud Yellow Jacket for her entire life, the spirit of
which inspired the courage and tenacity that characterized her sunshine-yellow personality.
After a string of professional endeavors as a secretary (she would, in fact, continue absently typing phantom memos across steering wheels well into her later years), she found her true calling and the job for which she swore she was always best-suited: motherhood.
She raised two daughters, Leah and Jennifer, into successful, strong women. In fact, just when Jennifer neared the end of high school, Carol decided to do it all again, giving birth to Nick and Kate and beginning the journey all over again with her beloved husband, Gary Morrissey. When not wrangling unruly young children or being the ideal mentor for her adult ones, Carol adored spending her time among the various flowers and plants that flourished both inside and outside of her South Knoxville home. Inherited from her mother, Kathyrn Long, Carol’s green thumb never met a botanical specimen that wouldn’t bloom under her charge. You could say that about any life, whether great or small, entrusted to her care—everyone and everything thrived under her loving guidance. Now, we will learn to do the same, warmed by the bright sun of her astonishing legacy, and her love which knew no bounds.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Kathyrn Long; brother-in-law, Edwin Sear; her dear friend Mary Tolliver; and others.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Morrissey; her sister, Shirley Sear; her brothers, Jesse Long Jr. (Jerry Price) and John (Tia) Long; her children, Leah Sweat (McPherson), Jennifer Walters (McPherson), Nicholas Morrissey, and Kate (Kalyn) Morrissey; her grandchildren: Tres (Taylor) Elliott, Joel Elliott, Kaya Walters, and Josie Walters; brothers-in-law: Kyle Morrissey, Mike Morrissey; nieces: Shana Sear, April Oakley, Brandy Whitehead; nephew, Zac Sear; her close friend, Susan Lobertini; and a nearly endless list of other friends and special people who are forever indebted to her wonderful influence.
A visitation will be held in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home, located at 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37920, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will follow beginning at 7:00 PM officiated by Rev. Tom King.
Family and friends will meet Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37920 for a 10:00 AM Interment Service.
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Morrissey family at www.berryfuneralhome.com
