Carol Egerton

1945 - 2025

Carol Anne Egerton, 80, passed away peacefully on 6 November 2025 following a short illness. She spent her final days in the company of her husband, Charles, as well as her children and friends. Carol was a resident of Ocean Springs for over 45 years.

Carol was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 23 May 1945 to Joseph Thomas Carlson and Ruth Haines Riehl Carlson. She grew up in Philadelphia and spent summers at the New Jersey shore with her parents, brother, Joe, sister, Ruth, and friends. Growing up, Carol was an active member of her community and school, serving as a Girl Scout, a member of the Student Board, Honor Society, Choir, and volunteering as a teacher's aide. She graduated from Frankford High School in 1963 with honors.

Carol's collegiate journey began with a scholarship to Penn State University, where she graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education, specialising in history and political science. After spending a year teaching at a primary school in Philadelphia, she realised that her true interests lay elsewhere and chose to pursue a Master of Library Science degree. Once again Carol was awarded a scholarship, this time to the University of Pittsburgh. There she served as class Vice President while gaining hands-on experience as Young Adult Librarian at the Carnegie Library. Upon graduating with her Master's degree in 1968, Carol was appointed as librarian at the Pennsylvania State Library in Harrisburg where she acted as Head Librarian of the State and Local Genealogical Collection with additional responsibilities for research and reference services to the State Legislature and government offices.

While she enjoyed her time working in Harrisburg, Carol wanted to travel the world and found an opportunity by applying and being selected by the Department of Defence as a Library Administrator for Special Services in 1970. She led an adventurous life travelling throughout Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa while working for the Special Services. Carol thrived on the challenges and excitement of managing Armed Services libraries throughout Germany. Also, she took great pride in organising training workshops, supporting librarian assistants and contributing her expertise as a member of the Taskforce on Publicity and Public Relations for the European Command.

While stationed at Rothwesten Army Base near Kassel Germany, Carol met her future husband, Captain Charles Egerton, in a rather serendipitous way. Charles, who was an American officer assigned to an Air Force detachment on the old Luftwaffe base, visited one of Carol's libraries to return an overdue book. Their chance meeting led to a relationship that lasted over half a century. Together, they shared a love of travel and history, exploring virtually the entire European continent (excluding the Soviet sectors).

Carol and Charles married on 16 December 1975 at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. She continued her career as a civil service librarian until 1976 before dedicating herself to raising a family. Carol and Charles were blessed with three children: Matthew Joseph Egerton, Andrew Douglas Egerton, and Victoria Margaret Egerton. She was a loving and devoted mother who supported her children wholeheartedly in all their pursuits.

While her children were young, Carol volunteered at St. Martin East Elementary School, demonstrating her commitment to education and community. Later, she resumed her professional work as a librarian at Coast Episcopal High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Jackson County. Her passion for helping others extended beyond education; Carol also volunteered as an AARP Tax Consultant, assisting low-income individuals and retirees with their taxes.

Carol's life was marked by service, kindness, and an enduring dedication to her family and community.