Carolyn L Kittrell

Carolyn Love Whitmore Kittrell of Augusta, Arkansas, age 92, died peacefully Wednesday, March 18, 2026. She was born on April 4, 1933, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Boise Edward and Freeda Love Whitmore. She is survived by daughters Carol Ann Logue and her husband Edward of Orlando, FL, Martha Lynn Schutzman and her husband Lendel of Ruston, LA, as well as four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and twelve nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband John B. Kittrell Jr., son John B. Kittrell III, and sister Kathryn Marino.

Carolyn grew up in Beebe and Augusta, Arkansas where her father served as the superintendent of schools and her mother was a teacher and music instructor. She graduated from high school in Augusta as valedictorian of her class along with her future husband, John B. "Benny" Kittrell, who was salutatorian. They both attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where Carolyn received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1955.

From Fayetteville, she moved to Van Buren, Arkansas, where Benny served as a county extension agent. In 1960, she moved to Gregory, Arkansas, when Benny took over managing the Kittrell family farm.

Growing up in a family of educators, the love for and value of learning was instilled in her early. Realizing she wanted to pursue a career in education, she attended Harding University where she obtained a Bachelor's in Elementary Education followed a few years later by a Master's in Reading also from Harding.

But she wasn't done. Her passion for learning matched her passion for teaching. After teaching in the Augusta School District for over 15 years, she went back to college and obtained a Master's in Educational Media/Library Science from the University of Central Arkansas.

Carolyn retired from teaching in 2000 after 35 years of devoted service in the Augusta School District. Many in Augusta today remember having her as a teacher or librarian and being impacted by her passion for learning.

She was just as well known, however, for her musical talent. Her mother was a pianist and organist and Carolyn took organ and piano lessons from an early age. She began serving as assistant organist at the Augusta United Methodist Church while in high school. When the family returned to the Augusta area to run the family farm, she returned to the church as organist/pianist where she served for over 55 years. She often accompanied her husband, John B. "Benny" Kittrell, who was well know for his wonderful baritone voice, in church as well as at weddings and funerals, and other events.

Carolyn and Benny Kittrell were married for 70 years. Their cremains will be buried together at a graveside service on Monday, May 4, at 11:00 am at Augusta Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Augusta First United Methodist Church, PO Box 452, Augusta, AR 72006 or paypal.me/augustaumc.

Arrangements entrusted with Powell Funeral Home of Woodruff County.