Carol Mclaughlin

Carol McLaughlin passed away on the sixth day of 2019. It will not be possible to put into these words what she meant to those of us lucky enough to have known her. For those that didn’t, we want you to know that she was here. This adorable, sunny little person who had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Whoever you may be, whatever your story, and regardless of whether she had ever laid eyes on you before she was ready to care about you. She never wanted to be the center of attention, but loved to pay attention to you. In fact, we are using this vintage photo of her because from what we can tell, it may be the last time she ever agreed to have her picture taken alone. In every other photo of her for the past 50 years, she is making sure someone else is the focus. One day she brought her car to a guy named Paul McLaughlin to be fixed. She was just so surprised that he loaned her his brand new Dodge Charger to drive while he worked on it. Her cousin had to explain to her that he probably didn’t do that for just everyone. How smitten was he? He was too afraid to propose for fear she may say no. So after two years of dating she said to him “Would you ask me to marry you if you knew I’d say yes?” Our hearts go out to him right now for the loss of his beloved. She is also survived by the “lights of her life”: Her son Stephen McLaughlin, his wife Anissa, and their three children: Conner, Addison, and Jack. Daughter Kristen Dunlap, her husband David, and their daughters: Grace and Sarah. Loving big brother Charles Beasley, his wife Karnella, and their son Chase. Cousin and “bestie” since childhood, Catherine Morris. No title like “nephew” or “cousin” or “_____ in-law” can really explain the relationship you had with her. There is a special story to tell about all of these people and so many more. Her Momma and Daddy, who she is reunited with in heaven, were Jack and Lillian Beasley. Her twin brother Carl went to them last year. She recently said that when she was a little girl, what she wanted to “grow up to be” was a wife and a mother. She was extraordinary as both. Along the way she also owned and operated a business, “Kiddie Korner” day care for over 20 years. You’ll find people all over town who remember her as a little bit of a bonus mom to them too. We want you to know, she never forgot you! In “retirement” she was always busy cooking, painting, sewing, or crafting things she was excited to give to us. When we cried she hugged us and told us “It’ll be alright, darlin’.” We get through today because we can hear her in our hearts. And we will never forget how, when she hugged you, she shook you a little bit to make sure and squeeze as much love to you as possible. And no one says “Darlin’” quite like Carol McLaughlin did. A very informal, “come as you” are memorial service will be held at Harper’s Funeral Home on Friday January 11th at 10am. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Children’s Emergency Shelter or the charity of your choice.