Carolyn J. Walters

ASHMORE, IL – Carolyn Joyce Walters, age 68 of Ashmore, entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.  Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday immediately following visitation with Pastor Don Lusk and Pastor David Colvin officiating.  Interment will follow in the Enon Cemetery located near Ashmore, Illinois.   It is requested that memorial gifts in her honor be made to the Ashmore Baptist Church.  Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. 

Carolyn was born on December 13, 1943 in Ashmore and was a daughter of the late Cyril and Ruth (Bower) Coartney.  She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Robert (R.C.) Walters on April 27, 1961 in Charleston.  She is survived by R.C., her husband and best friend of fifty-one years; her three daughters of whom she was so proud, Carla Oakley of St. Cloud, Florida, Donna Trone and husband Randy of Columbia, Illinois and Michelle Diepholz and husband Rob of Greenville, South Carolina; her eight grandchildren who were near and dear to her heart, Heather Oakley of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Hillary Julius and husband Brad of Boynton Beach, Florida, Holly Oakley of Charleston, Coartney Trone and Kaitlin Trone, both of Columbia, and Darian, Davis, and Devon Diepholz, all of Greenville; her three great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved, Allison and Gavin Julius and Kylie Oakley and was looking forward to the birth of a fourth.  She is also survived by her sisters, Evelyn Buckler of Ashmore and Marsha Lee and husband Wayne of Charleston; a brother, Cyril Dean (Butch) Coartney and wife Georgia of Cape Coral, Florida; a sister-in-law, Erlene Updegraff and husband Bill of Charleston; a brother-in-law, Donald Raye (Bud) Walters and wife Juretta of Ashmore; and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Alvin Coartney and a sister-in-law, Maxine Walters. 

Carolyn was in banking for twenty years and was employed at the Ashmore State Bank as well as Charleston National Bank.  She then accepted a position in the business office at Eastern Illinois University and also served as office manager for the Coles County Fair.  She has been a long-time member of the Ashmore Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for nearly fifty years. 

Carolyn was an avid reader, enjoyed golfing with R.C. and needlepoint, creating blankets for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She and R.C. also enjoyed spending the winters in Haines City, Florida where they shared special times with family and friends. 

Carolyn realized that family is a precious gift and she treasured not only her own but R.C's family as well.  As a loving wife and a devoted mother R.C., Carla, Donna and Michelle knew they could always rely on her unconditional love and support.  As a doting and loving grandmother and great-grandmother she was simply "the best" and Carolyn created a loving bond which her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always remember and cherish.  Carolyn also experienced the blessings of deep and abiding friendships and she enjoyed sharing many good times with true friends. 

Carolyn was considerate of others and never spoke an unkind word about anyone.  Her gentle and compassionate nature endeared her to all who knew and loved her.  She will truly be missed but forever cherished in the hearts of her family and friends.