Carolyn Gresham Brooks died peacefully on November 17 at The Claiborne Memory Care Center in Starkville. She was 87. She was lovingly known as Bunny to her high school sweetheart and husband of 48 years, Dr. Gladden Brooks, Mom to her children, and Meme to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Carolyn was born on April 13, 1931, in Carthage, Miss., to Gertrude and Jimmy Gresham and had one older brother, Jimmy Jr.

She grew up in a home filled with laughter and music. Her dad was the town “character," frequently dressing as an old lady to panhandle money for charity. Her mother was a talented musician, often playing piano for silent movies in a Jackson theatre on Saturday and church on Sunday.

As a young girl, Carolyn became an accomplished singer and pianist. She was a percussionist in her high school band, playing snare drum and bell lyre and also serving as drum major. She graduated from Hinds Junior College with a degree in music.

In 1951 she married Gladden, and two years later moved to Starkville to begin raising a family.

Carolyn worked for many years in the Mississippi State University Personnel Department. She was very active in social organizations and clubs, including Business and Professional Women’s Club, DAR, Cotillion, and various supper and bridge clubs. She was a very social person with many dear friends and a calendar always full. Both she and Gladden were very connected with the MSU tennis team, serving year after year as surrogate parents for foreign tennis players. Together, they attended First United Methodist Church of Starkville and enjoyed singing in the choir. She loved tending her home and traveling overseas, and did so even into her late 70s. She spent the final years of her life in the care of the Claiborne at Adelaide, to whose staff we owe a special note of gratitude.

She is survived by her son Barry (Teresa), daughter Lisa Ashmore, son Randy (Ginny); grandsons Zac Ashmore and Dana Brooks; granddaughters Meredith Brooks and Haley Brooks; great-grandchildren Georgia Brooks and Thomas Brooks; sisters-in-law Ada Johnston, Frances Brooks, and Ouda Gresham; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Gertrude and Jimmy Gresham, her brother Jimmy Gresham, Jr., her husband Gladden, son-in-law Perry Ashmore, and grandson Eric Ashmore.

Visitation will take place in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Starkville from 1 PM to 3 PM, Wednesday, November 21. Services will begin at 3 PM with graveside services to immediately follow at Memorial Garden Park.

You can leave the family a condolence at: www.welchfuneralhomes.com.