Carolyn Joyce Hawkins Blome

Carolyn Joyce Hawkins Blome passed away peacefully at age 71 on Monday, April 17^th after suffering a major stroke.  She was a passionate first grade teacher embracing every child who entered her classroom at Gibbs Magnet School where she spent most of her 40 years teaching.  She was a fierce advocate of early childhood literacy and math and was a National Board Certified Teacher who brought innovation into her classroom and school.  There is a cadre of former student teachers who are carrying on her legacy.  There is a community of students who remember the magic of first grade. 

Carolyn’s service to others did not stop at the classroom door.  Most recently she helped manage the Food Pantry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.   She was a force filled with love, endless compassion, and was made from equal measures of generosity and a work ethic to make that generosity count in the world.

She loved to cook but even more she loved to share food with others.  She rejoiced over the magic of gardening and recently became passionate about hiking the Appalachian Trail and had two states and part of a third under her belt and pack.

She would tell you her greatest role in life was being a mother to her three children: daughters Erin and Cara and her son Jeff.  She was Grandma to Adelaide and Collins who ran for her hugs when they entered the door.

Forty-one years of marriage, forty-three years together, Carolyn and Ron had a lasting love, bond and friendship.

Carolyn is survived by husband Ron, and by Erin and Billy Parrish and Cara and Michael Bartelme and granddaughters Adelaide and Collins Parrish.  Jeffrey was lost in 2021.  They are together again.

Donations may be made to Little Rock Compassion Center Kitchen.