Carolyn Bedford

1941 - 2025

Carolyn Dunlap Bedford passed away on September 20, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia. Born on May 9, 1941, in Hereford, Texas, she lived a life marked by resilience, warmth, and a deep commitment to family and community.

Carolyn grew up in a ranching family, graduated from Tatum High School in New Mexico in 1959 and went on to attend Eastern New Mexico University. In 1960, Carolyn married Larry Bedford, who also grew up in a ranching family from New Mexico.

Carolyn's early years laid the foundation for a life of adaptability and grace as she moved across the country with her family. Corporate acquisitions and mergers in Larry's agricultural industry necessitated moves to Iowa, Arizona, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kansas. Carolyn had a remarkable ability to create a loving home wherever she went. Her gift for forming lasting friendships enriched each community she touched.

After Larry's retirement from the corporate world, Carolyn and Larry returned to their roots and moved back to the Bedford Ranch in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. For more than 15 years, they were able to bring friends and family to the ranch and give them a glimpse of ranching life in the high plains. In 2020, Carolyn and Larry moved full-time to Richmond, Virginia.

An accredited floral design judge, Carolyn was frequently recognized for her keen eye and artistic sensibility. Carolyn was a long-term member of the National Garden Club, PEO and Cattle Women, and held various offices in these organizations. In the Richmond area, Carolyn was a member of the Sleepy Hollow Garden Club and the Designers Guild. On a weekly basis, Carolyn turned donated flowers into elegant floral designs and distributed them to nursing homes in the Richmond area. Her passion for floral design brought beauty into the lives of many and reflected her appreciation for nature's elegance.

A devoted wife and mother, Carolyn is survived by her husband, Larry Bedford; her daughter Danna Flaherty (Richard); her grandsons Max Flaherty and Wyatt Flaherty, and her step-granddaughter, Sylvia Mosser. Carolyn's nurturing spirit and steadfast love were central to the lives of those closest to her.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents W.O. and Pearl Dunlap; her son William (Bill) Bedford; and her siblings Lewis Dunlap, Cathryn Dunlap Kittleson, Evolyn Dunlap Terpening, Marjorie Dunlap Fraley, and Jim Dunlap.

Carolyn's legacy is one of enduring love, quiet strength, and an unwavering dedication to those around her. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church, 11421 Gayton Road, Henrico, VA at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27th.