Carol Branning

Carol Branning, 81, passed away on May 11, 2018 at her home in Brevard, NC following a brief illness. A memorial service will be held in the auditorium at College Walk at 10 am on Monday, May 14, 2018. Carol will be interred in Panama City, Florida on May 18, 2018.

Carol was born to Doyal and Margaret Pinkard on May 6, 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia. Carol graduated from Coral Gables High School in Coral Gables, Florida in 1954, attended Florida State University and ultimately received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida in 1990.

Carol grew up with a strong faith and a great sense of adventure. She traveled the world with her husband, Wes, exploring countries and cultures across the globe including Russia and China. Never afraid to try new things or meet new people, Carol was able to form instant connections with everyone she met. She had a strong interest in genealogy and was able to trace her family back to revolutionary times (and even beyond that to Mountain Ash in Wales). Carol was a member of the Mathatasian book club in Brevard, NC with whom she shared her love of literature and good times. As a resident of the College Walk retirement community, Carol embraced all that College Walk had to offer, from being a part of the Senior Games gold medal winning line dancing team to being the Mardi Gras queen. Her life was full and she touched many others with her joy and generosity.

Carol was preceded in death by her mother Margaret Pinkard, her father Doyal (Doc) Pinkard and her brother Doyal Pinkard. She is survived by her husband Wes, her daughters Cay Thompson her husband Peter and Lori Hacker and her husband Dave. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Wesley, Stewart, Joseph and Mary Margaret Hacker; Brian Rodriguez and his wife Nicole and son Matthew, Jason Rodriguez, Tiffani Brennan and her husband Sean, and Kari Thompson and her fiance, Colin Barnard. Other surviving family members include nephews Chris and David Pinkard, Michael Branning and Brian Warr; and Niece Debbie Hicks.

Carol adored her husband, her girls and her grandchildren and always made an effort to be part of their lives. She loved her family and was an ongoing force providing a foundation of values that her family built upon as they have created their way.

The love Carol shared with so many people during her life has now become a foundation for the next generation of those who love her. Her spirit will live on as her loved ones demonstrate her values every day. She is loved.

The family is grateful for the support and assistance of CarePartners Hospice and their team of compassionate, caring professionals who helped them through this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CarePartners Foundation (carepartdnersfoundation.org) or the Transylvania County Library Foundation ( http://library.transylvaniacounty.org ).