Carolyn Woodfin Carnahan

Carolyn Wilson Woodfin Carnahan died at home on December 24, 2024, her 85th birthday. She was born in Fort Smith, Ark., in 1939. Carolyn was the beloved only child of Ira John Woodfin and Frances Sharp Bogle Woodfin. Her father’s job with General Motors meant the family moved often during Carolyn’s childhood. In 1951, Ira seized the opportunity to buy, with Marvin Smith, the Pontiac franchise in Baton Rouge. The family embraced their new home and became part of the fabric of the community.

After graduating from Baton Rouge High School in 1957, Carolyn enrolled at LSU. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and graduated with a degree in elementary education. At LSU, Carolyn met the love of her life, John Carnahan. Carolyn moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane’s School of Social Work, while John began his career as a CPA with Price Waterhouse. A year of courtship led to a wedding in Baton Rouge in 1962.

Carolyn and John began their married life in New Orleans. They were blessed by the arrival of Ira Woodfin Carnahan in 1963 and Leigh Wilson Carnahan in 1965. In 1966, John accepted his father-in-law's invitation to join him at Woodfin-Smith Pontiac, and the young family returned to Baton Rouge. It was a good decision for all, then and in future years.

Carolyn embraced motherhood. She encouraged Ira and Leigh to pursue their talents and interests and worked hard to ensure they had every opportunity to do so. Carolyn and John believed strongly in the importance of public education – for their children and the health of the greater Baton Rouge community. Carolyn’s commitment to public education and social equity and her understanding of how hands-on volunteer engagement can meaningfully influence school and student success grew as Ira and Leigh progressed through the public school system.

Leveraging her experience and commitment, Carolyn expanded the Adopt-A-School Program through her work with the Greater Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. She also co-founded Volunteers in Public Schools, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public education in Baton Rouge by mobilizing volunteers and building community-school partnerships. Carolyn’s work with VIPS – as president, executive director, and board member -- spanned a decade.

Carolyn’s strong Christian faith guided and strengthened her throughout her life. When her parents first settled in Baton Rouge, they joined First United Methodist Church. Carolyn was an active member throughout her life, serving on the Administrative Board and the Council of Ministries and as a senior high school Sunday school teacher with John for eight years. In 1985, she and John helped establish the Cursillo movement in Louisiana, and weekly share groups with other Cursillo members became an important part of their lives.

Carolyn was committed to racial and social equality throughout her life, most recently as a supporter of Together Baton Rouge. In recognition of her many contributions to the community, she received a multitude of accolades: Volunteer Activist; Baton Rouge High School Hall of Fame; National Conference of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Award; United Methodist Women Service Award; and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation Angel Award.

Carolyn’s most enduring role was that of a devoted wife to her beloved John. They were true partners in every endeavor, whether personal or professional. Carolyn joined John at Woodfin Pontiac-Isuzu in 1992 and worked side-by-side with him until they sold the dealership in 1999. Retirement was a wonderful blessing, and John and Carolyn (with their loyal dog Vips at their side) stayed closely connected to their community and their children and grandchildren. When John’s health began to decline, Carolyn’s focus turned to caring for her partner until his death in February 2022. Carolyn’s love for John was profound, and she lived her remaining years comforted by the knowledge that she would be with him again.

Carolyn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ira and Kitty McNamara Carnahan of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and their two children, Callie Frances, 25, and William Woodfin, 23; and daughter and son-in-law, Leigh and Dan Comas of Washington, D.C, and their four children, Christopher Walsh, 27; John Carnahan, 25; Nora Frances, 21; and Amelia Frances, 15.

A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, Jan. 2. Visitation in the Ory Parish Hall will be from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., with funeral service at 11:30 a.m., and inurnment to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to Volunteers In Public Schools and First United Methodist Church.