Mary “Carolyn” Carlisle Kingsmill of Baytown, Texas, formerly of Brookhaven, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 at the age of 71.  Carolyn was born on Aug. 1, 1941, in the Fair River community to James Conaway and Mary Louise Foster Carlisle, both of whom preceded her in death. She graduated in 1959 from Fair Oaks Springs High School. She grew up and was baptized at Fair River Baptist Church.

     Upon graduating from high school, Carolyn attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Wesson and received her Associates Degree in Business. She then transferred to Mississippi College in Clinton, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 1963. She began teaching high school Business Education at Gloster Attendance Center in Gloster, where she taught for four years. In 1965 she met the love of her life, Verner “Vern” Kingsmill and they were married on June 4, 1966. After living in Mississippi for one year, the couple headed west to Baytown to work and raise their family.

     Carolyn was a member of Wooster Baptist Church for over 40 years. She was active in the children’s ministry at Wooster, serving as a Sunday school teacher and children’s director. Recently she was very active in the women’s ministry, Women of Wooster. She was also a member of the choir for many years. Carolyn was gifted in teaching children, both at church and at school.

     Preceding Carolyn in death, other than her parents, were her infant twin daughters Mary LeAnne and Wendy Carol Kingsmill, with whom she is now reunited and holding for the first time. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 46 years, Vern Kingsmill of Baytown, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, James and Deborah Kingsmill, and grandson Jacob Kingsmill of Baytown; sister Lavenia Townsend of Baytown; sisters Geraldine Smith and Crickett Carlisle of Brookhaven; aunt Nonerle Hanshew of Sontag; special friends Gay and Joe Ray, who introduced Carolyn and Vern in 1965; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

     Services will be held at Monday, Nov. 26, at Wooster Baptist Church, 7007 Bayway Drive in Baytown, Texas, with the Revs. Kevin Townsend, Beau Rosser, and Jason Shuttlesworth officiating.

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her memory to the following charities: The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org; the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas at www.eftx.org; or Wooster Baptist Church at the above address.

     To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

     Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.