Carolyn A Read

Carolyn Litaker Annas Read, 88, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully surrounded by her closest family on September 2, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Ernest Henry Litaker and Ruby Brumley Litaker. A lifelong Charlottean, Carolyn grew up on 35th Street and graduated from Tech High School in 1954. She retired from Belk Store Services after 22½ years of service.

A devoted Presbyterian, Carolyn was actively involved in her church communities throughout her life. She found her love of singing at Johnson Presbyterian at 13 and later raised her family at Saint John Presbyterian, where she earned her Lifetime Membership in the Women of the Church. In her later years, she was a vibrant member of Newell Presbyterian Church, participating in the choir, teaching Sunday school, leading the Women of the Church, quilting squares for those in need, and engaging in mission work including hurricane relief and Room in the Inn.

Outside of church, Carolyn looked forward to socializing with the Tech High lunch bunch. She enjoyed frequently donating cakes and bake goods to be shared. Aside from the goodies she shared with her classmates; she loved spoiling her family with baked goods on several occasions. During Christmas, she was known for giving certain children of hers a specific can of cookies, depending on their own preferences. Spoiling became a past time of hers in this manner. She loved spoiling her children and baking, but her true love manifested itself in her garden.

Carolyn was a self-taught master gardener. Her yard was a testament to her creativity and joy. It was a sanctuary for her. Although her garden is a physical thing, filled with luna hibiscus, naked ladies, spider plants, knock-out roses, tiger lilies, clematis, or, amaryllises, it was something much more than the plants. Her garden is a manifestation of all the seeds of hope, courage, consideration, kindness, and love she held for everyone she knew. Seeds that she hoped one day would be rooted in love, rooted in family, rooted in God, and rooted in the belief that we are all the same people deserving of the upmost forgiveness and love. Whether you knew her for an afternoon or your entire lifetime, she grew a garden in you, she maybe even made you an angel or two.

She is survived by her children Johnny Reed Annas Jr. (Donna), Robbin Vaughan (Kenny Smith), Renda Trammell, and Rodney Read (Nohemy); grandchildren Carolann Villegas (Samantha), Nicholas Read, Genesis Read, Samuel Read; great-grandchildren Alice Mae Read and Jack Allen Perry Read; brothers Harry Litaker (Patricia), Joe Litaker (Judy), Van Litaker (Ann), and sister-in-law Anne Litaker. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her first husband, Johnny Reed Annas Sr., second husband, Archibald Perry Read; grandson, Brandon Keith Vaughn; son-in-law, Edward Trammell; brother Frank Litaker; and sister Doris Litaker Diehl (George).

Memorials can be sent to Newell Presbyterian Church.