Carolyn Roden
Carolyn Walker Roden died on October 15, 2015.
She was the beloved daughter of Johney and Ruby Acuff Walker to whom she was born on March 19, 1933. She graduated from Dasher Bible School with two of her favorite cousins, Jean Acuff Kidd and Wanda Dean Acuff Smith. Carolyn retired from Moccasin Bend Hospital.
The latter years of Carolyn’s life were spent traveling and her passion was woodcarving. A carousel horse, Sebastian, was carved and painted by Carolyn and then donated to the Coolidge Park Carousel. Carolyn and two of her friends made through carving, Linda Woods and Janis Rodriguez, carved and painted a tiger for the carousel for the Chattanooga Zoo. These fantastic pieces of art are a product of love and dedication and will provide many memories for years to come.
Carolyn’s travel adventures included numerous trips to Europe and across the United States. Her travels included the Calgary Stampede, Kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, climbing the Matterhorn, carving a dulcimer at the John C. Campbell Folk School, riding the Dragon’s Tail on a motorcycle, lobstering in Maine, hot air ballooning, bungee jumping, hang gliding, dog sledding, snow mobiling and all of the attractions in London and the surrounding area. Carolyn’s favorite activity in London was attending and loving the plays of Andrew Lloyd Weber.
In 1996, Carolyn volunteered as an Olympic ambassador working the Ocoee River venue. She received one of the biggest compliments of her life when a visitor told her, “You are southern hospitality at its best”. Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, counted Carolyn as one of its volunteers. Last, but certainly not least, she loved enjoying a gelato while strolling the streets of Italy.
Carolyn was a longtime member of the Coca Cola Collectors Club and a founding member of the Chattanooga Chapter. She enjoyed attending conventions all over the United States and participating in the various activities. Most of all, she treasured the friendships she made.
Carolyn was a member of the Church of Christ from an early age and worshipped at the Red Bank congregation.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Walker.
Survivors include her three children: Ginger Weeks of Chattanooga, Cheryl Myers (Ken) of Kingsport and Roddy Roden (Sharon) of Chattanooga; grandchildren: Laney Weeks-Bond (Kevin), Abby Bradley (Hunter), Bryan Myers (Sarah) and Allen Myers (Alice); great-grandchildren: Zach Frazier, Macyn Bradley, Easton Myers, Ben Myers, Annie Myers and baby Hunter Bradley; brother, Bax Walker (Velvet) of Chattanooga; and sister-in-law, Lynn Walker of Valdosta, GA.
Carolyn’s family would love to give special thanks to Red Bank Church of Christ, Hospice of Chattanooga and NHC Parkwood.
In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask you to make a memory as Carolyn did so many times during her life. Take a loved one for a ride on a carousel, walk the Walnut Street Bridge, stroll down Frazier Avenue and dance on the sidewalk, enjoy an order of onion rings and a coke at Nikki’s and most of all…live life while making memories.
Visitation with the family will be from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the funeral service at 6 p.m. at Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace.
Burial will be on Sunday, Oct. 18, with the processional leaving the funeral home at 2:30 p.m. and traveling to Chattanooga Memorial Park (the duck pond) for a 3 p.m. graveside service.
Pallbearers will be Bryan Myers, Allen Myers, Hunter Bradley, Zach Frazier, Bob Woods and Cesar Rodriguez.
Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, 877-3524.