Carolyn Jo Sammann James joined Heaven on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Carolyn was born on October 2, 1939, in Slaton, Texas, to Della Mae Schuette Sammann and Walter Theodor Reinhold Sammann. The family lived in Plainview, Texas until 1952, when they moved to Booneville, Arkansas.
Carolyn attended school in Booneville. On April 1, 1955, she married Andy J. Blythe. On May 17, 1956, she became the proud mother of her son, Randall (Randy) Bee Blythe. On October 8, 1991, she welcomed her first granddaughter, Drew Elizabeth Blythe. She then welcomed 5 more grandchildren – Walter Hilton Blythe, Meredith Ann James, Brady William James, Lily Gilan James, and Ava Grace James. She held many titles over the years, but none more treasured than “Hum”, “Meme”, and “Grandma”. As she said on her 75th birthday while walking in the Paint the Park Pink breast cancer walk, “I believe I was made to be a Grandma”. She loved her grandchildren with every thing she had; never missing a chance to bake cookies or a cake for them, attend a game, recital, or event, or simply just to spend a day at home teaching them how to cook, sew, bake, and love like she did.
On November 18, 1995, Carolyn married Colonel William Gary James in a beautiful ceremony at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, AR. They shared a life full of love, not only for each other and their family, but also for travel. Carolyn and Gary traveled the country together, often taking their grandchildren along. Most frequently, they visited Washington D.C. to see two of their grandchildren, Lily and Ava. They took regular trips with her sisters and their husbands, Delores (H.B.) and Valera (Fred). They visited Niagara Falls, Colorado, New York City, Washington D.C., and many other places together.
Carolyn had a lengthy and loyal career with City National Bank in Fort Smith, AR. What started as a career as a teller in 1964 grew over the years until she retired as a V.P. of Loan Accounting in 2002. She formed dear friendships with many of her coworkers, including Kay French, Barbara Lynch, Stella Dooly Johnson, Shirley Myers, Christy Wheeler, Larry Smith, Jim Harwood, George Beatty, and Gary Newton. As her former supervisor, Larry Smith said “There are few people you meet in life that makes everyone a better person – I think you’re one of them… You never lost your faith, your character, or your sense of humor”.
Carolyn was a member of Greenwood United Methodist Church for many years and volunteered frequently for the church. You could often find her baking cookies for bake sales or helping with an event. Her faith was strong, and she taught her family the importance of faith no matter the situation.
Throughout her life, she was a loving sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, coworker, and friend. Carolyn made everyone she encountered feel loved, and she cared for her family and friends with her whole heart. She kept a positive outlook, a friendly smile, and a wonderful sense of humor, no matter the situation. She led her family with integrity, love, and faith.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Della Mae Schuette Sammann and Walter Theodor Reinhold Sammann, her infant brother, Charles Frederick Sammann (1936), her first husband Andy J. Blythe, and many other family members.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Colonel William Gary James; her son Randall (Randy) Bee Blythe and wife Greta Graves Blythe of Fort Smith; her step-son Clifton James and wife Mindy James of Greenwood, AR; her step-son Bill James and wife Azeen James of Bethesda, MD; her sisters, Delores Sammann Griffey (H.B. Griffey) of Booneville, AR, and Valera Sammann Tate (Fred Tate) of Conway, AR; her grandchildren, Drew Blythe Simon and husband Cody Simon of Little Rock, AR; Walter Hilton Blythe of Fort Smith, AR, Meredith Ann James and Brady Williams James of Greenwood, AR, and Lily Gilan James and Ava Grace James of Bethesda, MD. She is survived by nephews, Gene Kirkendall (Billie), Richard Blythe, Brent Griffey, Bruce Griffey (Dee Dee), John Tate (Mary), and Mike Naranjo; nieces, Ann Blythe Little, Carla Tate Norris (Jay), Pagelia Ann Rhea, and Pamela Rhea; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, and loving friends.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Friday, July 17 at Pine Log Cemetery in Barber under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Thursday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank Mercy Hospital Oncology, Dr. Tony Flippin, Kathy, and Sabrina, for their wonderful and loving care of Carolyn over the last 8 years, as well as Mercy Hospice and Home Health Care for their guidance and care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please send donations to Greenwood United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be Walter Hilton Blythe, Brady William James, Cody King Simon, Mike Naranjo, John Tate, and Bruce Griffey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kay French, Barbara Lynch, Stella Dooly Johnson, Shirley Myers, and Christy Wheeler.
