Carolyn Evans Hart

Carolyn Evans Hart, 86, of Ferrum died January 4, 2018, in Roanoke. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Joseph T. Hart. She raised, loved and nurtured, and is survived by, six children: James David Hart and wife Kim Burchett of Pulaski, Catherine Hart Kervan and husband John of Hanover, Sally Hart Morgan and husband John of Emory, Nancy Hart Almond and husband Bill of Estes Park, Colo., Brian Joseph Hart and wife Carey Kempf of Rocky Mount, and Evan Andrew Hart and wife Kimberly Cosgriff of Cookeville, Tenn. In addition, she had 16 grandchildren: Harrison (Shawna), Tori (Sean), Chris (Lindsay), Andrew (Hannah), Zac, Jack, Sarah (Alex), Jessie, Ben, Hunter, Hannah, Maura, Adriana, Gabriella, Bode and Isaiah; and one precious great-granddaughter, Isabella. She is also survived by brother-in-law, James W. Hart of Lake Junaluska, NC, and sister-in-law Janice Hart Tedford, of Roswell, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her life was enriched by making connections with people wherever she went.  Born in Atlanta to Mary Cobb and Robert C. Evans, Sr., Carolyn grew up in Raleigh, where she made lifelong friends at Broughton High School.  As a student at Greensboro College where she majored in sociology and graduated in 1953, she spent summers working at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Here, she met Joe and his family, and formed even more long lasting friendships. Later, as they began growing a family, Carolyn established deep friendships with other young families in neighborhoods and churches in McLean and Silver Spring, Md.  Because of her graciousness and easy way with people, family and friends continued to gather year after year in places like Blackwater Falls and Pawleys Island. Carolyn was known for her love of visual beauty, especially art in the form of watercolor painting. She mastered this artistic specialty during the “empty nest” years through workshops, many of which she organized, and by simply putting paint on paper in her peaceful, mountain view studio at home in Ferrum. Gifting her works of art was meaningful to her, and her passion lives on in every brushstroke now decorating the homes of many fortunate recipients. The Bald Knob Artists and the Eclectic Readers Book Club were groups from which she gained immense enjoyment. Her other passions included collecting and using cookbooks, walking on the beach and keeping tabs on her growing extended family. She was a stand-in mother to her nieces and nephews whose parents passed before her, and to others who needed motherly encouragement.   She graciously supported Joe’s Ferrum College role while continuing to raise children and teenagers. For two years, Carolyn was a teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Rocky Mount  - and for a brief time many years ago, an elementary teacher in Baltimore. She appreciated the individuality of people she encountered, inspired others with her joyful smile and was always eager to share a story and enjoy a good giggle.   A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 2 pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 65 Rock Ridge Road, Callaway, Va. 24067  A reception will follow at the Phoebe Needles Center (near the church). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Friends of the Franklin County Library or The Phoebe Needles Center.