Carolyn Janell Stringer

Carolyn Janell Bryant Stringer, age 85 of Bryant Arkansas died Monday, April 24, 2023 from complications following heart surgery. She was born October 8, 1937 at Hampton, Arkansas and was the eighth of eleven children of Roy & Marie Bryant. As she entered her heavenly home, Carolyn was reunited with her parents, several brothers and sisters and the love of her life, Jim, who passed in 2020.

For 45 years Jim kept Carolyn on a pedal stool and made every wish of hers come true. Due to hard work (at times, between the two of them they had two full-time and three part-time jobs) and solid financial planning, they were able to retire at a young age and spent their retirement years dancing, traveling, camping and fishing, and working in their yard and gardens. They worshiped together at The Church at Rock Creek.

After Jim’s passing Carolyn remained active, both socially and physically. As a resident of Fox Ridge Luxury Senior Living, she enjoyed keeping up with the comings and goings of the staff and neighbors. She regularly participated in afternoon bingo, Thursday night bible studies and group outings to see plays or go to the casino. Most days Carolyn could be found at the Bryant Boys & Girls Club where she would “go take exercise” by walking a mile and riding the stationary bike for 15 minutes.

Throughout her life, Carolyn was a friend to many and up until her death, was faithful and intentional about maintaining those relationships. Seldom did a day pass by that she did not have a conversation with one or two or more either by phone, over lunch or at someone’s home. It was this social-side that drove her love of “The Facebook”. She trolled it for hours and delighted in  keeping tabs on her friends. When she posted, or was tagged in a post, you couldn’t pry the phone out of her hand as she closely monitored to see who commented, read what was said and count the number of “likes”.

Professionally, Carolyn worked at the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department for 34 years. She started out as a key-punch operator typing the cards that were used to enter data into computers. At retirement she was the supervisor of production control. When she and Jim bought their first house together, Carolyn worked at night and on weekends to earn extra money to furnish the home by selling home décor for Home Interiors.

When they married, Carolyn and Jim each had two daughters. Family meant so much to them and many precious memories were made celebrating birthdays, graduations and holidays. During these times the menu seldom changed and her kids and grandkids looked forward to Carolyn’s chicken & dumplings, special cheese dip and banana pudding.

Carolyn and Jim are survived by their four daughters, Kim Peters of Fayetteville, AR, Keena (Thomas) Kennedy of Jonesboro, AR, Cindy (Pike) Mosely of Hot Springs Village, AR, and Christy (Robert) Darrington of Sherwood, AR; one granddaughter, Courtney (Tyler) Lytle of Morganton, NC; seven grandsons, Cooper Peters of Wichita, KS, Grant (Lauren) Waleszonia of Jonesboro, AR, Grayson Waleszonia of Fayetteville, AR, Jack Ross Waleszonia of Jonesboro, AR, Robby (Megan) Darrington of Sherwood, AR, Michael Darrington of Morgantown, W. VA, and Phillip Darrington of Sherwood, AR; two great-grandsons, Sam Lytle and Parker Darrington; additional survivors include her brother and sister-in-law who were so precious to her, Johnny and Cathy Bryant; her best friend, Brenda Haley and a host of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, May 1, 2023 at The Church at Rock Creek, 11500 W 36th St, Little Rock, AR. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Burial will be at 1:00 pm at Pinecrest Cemetery, 7401 AR-5, Alexander, AR.

Memorials may be made to Parkinson's Association. https://www.apdaparkinson.org/donate

Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.