Carole, born and raised in Marble City, grew up attending the Marble City United Brethren and was later a member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church. She attended West High School and played the French horn. As a member of All-City Orchestra, she performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Carole loved to play the piano and was known to begin the day with a morning performance.
A devout Christian, Carole thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of God’s designs. She enjoyed gardening, being with nature at the Great Smoky Mountains, and loved having company over for a fun day at the pool. She loved her family without ceasing, especially her two granddaughters, Sarah Louise and Mary-Elizabeth.
Carole is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Sherman Kear, and parents, Ida Evelyn Jenkins Brooks and Wilfred ‘Hootie’ Clyde Brooks and precious niece Jennifer Engelhardt Stark.
She is survived by her two children, Cynthia Anne Kear and Preston (Lisa) Gerald Kear; her adored granddaughters Sarah Louise and Mary-Elizabeth Kear; her sister Aretta Brooks Engelhardt, nephews, and a host of cousins.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Carole's caregivers, Ms. Ilene Crouch, Mrs. Sharon Davis and the Alive Hospice in Nashville.
A Graveside Service will be held for Carole on Saturday, August 1, 2026, inside Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery at Whispering Waters Pavilion, at 11:00 am. A reception following services will be held at the Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Team, Memorial Giving | Vanderbilt University Medical Center Giving, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital or
Tunnel to Towers.
