CAROLYN McKINNEY SISK
Carolyn McKinney Sisk
A Beloved Lady
Jefferson City, TN / White Pine, TN – Peace will come when we hardly notice, like the first star in the evening sky, we need not strive for it or seek it. It will find us as surely as the quiet morning light dawns and as purely as the water trickles from a beautiful mountain spring. Peace comes to us softly and whispers in the night. “Be still. All is well. I am here.”
In the early evening hours of Monday, September 26th, 2016 our beloved Carolyn Jean McKinney Sisk peacefully entered into her eternal heavenly home. Carolyn was blessed with 81 years of a wonderful and full life. Her story begins on March 21, 1935. She was born at home in the Stamey Cove Community of Canton, North Carolina to the late Robert Lee McKinney and the late Geneva Boyd McKinney. Carolyn was born into a family that surrounded her with love and affection and which created a lifetime of wonderful memories. Together Carolyn and her loving sister, Barbara Ann have held these precious memories of their childhood close to their hearts and their delightful life stories have always brought laughter and joy to everyone that were blessed to relive these heartfelt times with both of them. The McKinney sisters had endless adventures growing up that would indeed hold anyone spellbound. Carolyn grew up in Clyde, North Carolina and attended Clyde Elementary School. Even at a young age her kind and caring personality touched many and her sweet natural beauty was indeed noticed by everyone. She was crowned Clyde Elementary School Valentine Queen and in her later years she often smiled and fondly reminisced about those happy memories of her teachers and her dear friends.
The McKinney family made the decision to relocate their home to White Pine, Tennessee when Carolyn was in the 10th grade and she began a new journey in her life. She graduated from White Pine High School and she met the love of her life, Jack Sisk who became her loving and devoted husband and together they shared a wonderful love story and were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Claudia Jean. Carolyn was the perfect example of a tower of strength, a Christian and a member of First United Methodist Church of White Pine, Tennessee. All throughout her life Carolyn had held a deep concern and love for all children and she began a career as a teaching assistant at White Pine Elementary School where she retired with 33 years of loving dedication to the children of White Pine. She later moved to Jefferson City, Tennessee where she had resided for the past 21 years. Carolyn was a lady of grace and charm and she faced every turn in her life with strength of heart and purpose. A stunning and beautiful lady, with unforgettable eyes, a radiant smile and a heart filled with joy and laughter made Carolyn someone that would light up a room with her presence. Everyone blessed to know her – loved her. Fun days of endless shopping for clothes and scouting out special treasures brought much joy to Carolyn. Taking fun trips, beach vacations, holiday gatherings and just spending quiet and peaceful times on the restful back porch of her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara Ann and Bill, brought Carolyn back home to Canton often and back to her mountain roots. Her greatest love was her family. She was a true inspiration to others and she was always an example of encouragement and support for all of her family. Carolyn Jean McKinney Sisk has blessed our lives and she will never be forgotten. We hold peace in our hearts. We shall be quiet and still and know that peace has come to our beloved Carolyn. All is well.
In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her loving husband, Claude Jack Sisk who passed away in 1986 and also her beautiful daughter, Claudia Jean Sisk who passed away in 2012.
She is survived by her family, her grandson, Christopher Sisk of Jefferson City; her sister, Barbara Ann Edwards and her husband, Bill Edwards of Canton, NC; a special aunt, Dolores Rogers of Canton, NC ; special friends, Maddie and Dino Waites and their children, Apollo, Rose Marie and Titus who loved “Giggy” dearly; her sweet back door neighbors, Twanna and Tracy Mullins who were indeed a blessing to Carolyn; Ann Fox, who has been a dear friend to Carolyn and her daughter, Claudia, and who has shared her kindness, her love and her concern for Carolyn each and every day; many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly and numerous special cousins and a multitude of dear friends.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life service for Carolyn that will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 8th 2016 at the Historic Grove Church located at Crawford / Ray Memorial Gardens in Clyde, North Carolina.
On Sunday, October 9th 2016 at 2:00 pm a graveside committal service will be held at White Pine Cemetery located in White Pine, Tennessee. Following the committal service a receiving of friends and reception will be held at 3:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church of White Pine.
Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Canton, North Carolina is honored to be caring for the Sisk family and words of comfort may be shared at www.crawfordray.com
