Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 20, 2018

CHARLOTTE – Carolyn Earnhardt Walker, 85, died peacefully on Thursday, September 20, 2018 in The Stewart Health Center of The Cypress Club of Charlotte after a long and very courageous battle with  cancer.

 Carolyn was born November 15, 1932, in Charlotte, NC, the middle daughter of the late James Jennings and Elizabeth Robinson Earnhardt. She grew up amongst her beloved family, many, many cousins, about whom she told wonderful stories of times spent together.

 Carolyn, a native of Charlotte, attended Central High School and graduated with a degree in business from Women’s College of North Carolina (UNCG). Carolyn married and started a life long career as a homemaker, where she raised her children. She was a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church for over thirty years.

Carolyn loved the outdoors, sports and excelled in tennis throughout her youth and adulthood. She was also an avid golfer, lover of baseball (GO Braves), college football and college basketball. She was also a talented artist and covered the homes of family and friends with many of her wonderful paintings. Carolyn loved people and some of her greatest joys was hosting her very large family and any friends that might like to join in at gatherings.  She was passionate about her home in Blowing Rock, NC  and the Blowing Rock Methodist Church, where she and her husband spent many wonderful summers. A highlight of the last  20 years included time spent in Blowing Rock, hosting all of her children and her grandchildren at what became fondly known as “Camp Carolyn” for the Fourth of July celebration.

 Carolyn is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Warren (Bud) Walker; their daughters Mandy Tinsley, and her husband, Jim of Milton, GA and Julie Thornton and her husband, Jon of Charleston, SC; sons, Bill Oden and his wife, Jan of Wilmington, NC, John Oden, and his wife Kathleen, of Wilmington, NC and Don Walker, and his wife, Meredith of Charlotte. She is also survived by her sister, Midgie Speight and husband, Shep, who also live at The Cypress Club in Charlotte. She was predeceased by her older sister, Betty Earnhardt Barrus and her husband, Jim.  Carolyn and Bud have 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Stewart Health Center for their loving care of our mom during her stay there.

A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held on Thursday, September 27 at 4:00 PM in the community room at The Cypress Club of Charlotte, 3442 Cypress Club Drive, Charlotte, NC, with a reception following the service. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 11:00 AM at Blowing Rock Methodist Church, Blowing Rock, NC.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials can be sent to Blowing Rock Methodist Church , PO Box 352, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.