Carol Dysart Tapp

Carol Dysart Tapp, 89, of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on August 24, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born to the late Lawrence Sherman Dysart and Eloise Brown Dysart on November 20,1936 in Knoxville, TN. She grew up there & graduated from Knoxville Central High School with the Class of 1954 and The University of Tennessee in 1958. She remained proud of her Knoxville & UT roots throughout her life.

Carol shared many wonderful years with the love of her life, Lawrence Matthew “Larry” Tapp, who preceded her in death in 2013 after 56 years of marriage. They moved to Savannah to start their teaching careers and raise their children. She served as the director of music at White Bluff United Methodist Church before finishing graduate school at Armstrong State College. She was a professor of Computer Science at the School of Business at Savannah State College & retired from the University System of Georgia in 1997.

Together they built a life centered on love, family, education, mentoring students & helping others. Their faith in God and their church family were important throughout their lives. They moved to Kennesaw in 1998 after both retirements and quickly found their church home at Kennesaw United Methodist Church. They often talked about their fond memories of being part of the Happy Voyagers Group at church & their monthly get-togethers for food & outings. They especially enjoyed square dancing, music, camping, UT sports, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, spending winters at Riverside RV Resort and Campground in Arcadia FL, playing golf together at Pinetree Country Club, or any course for that matter. They also never missed ball games and/or any of their kids’ activities.

Carol had a deep appreciation for family history and genealogy. Her interest began after a family reunion in Gatlinburg in 1988 and grew into decades of research into both the Dysart and Tapp families. She enjoyed being a member of and presenting at the Cobb County Genealogical Society. Carol generously volunteered her time helping preserve the memories of others. Through her work with Find a Grave, she researched memorials and offered to photograph graves and markers throughout Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, and Gordon counties. Her final years were spent at her home under the care of her family and dedicated caregiver, Fatoumata “Q” Betts.

Carol was a loving mother to her son, Scott Tapp, and her daughter, Sharon Tapp VanDyke (Jason). She was a proud grandmother to Lauren Brooke Barrett (Tyler), Brinlee Crandon, Briley Tapp, Parker VanDyke & Dalton VanDyke. She was thrilled to recently become a great grandmother to Billy (Lauren & Tyler). She had several nieces & nephews.

A private interment will take place at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Kennesaw Church and announced at a later date.