Carole Anne Darling Angell

Published 9:12 am Monday, October 3, 2022

Carole Anne Darling Angell, age 83, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Memorial Hospital & Manor in Bainbridge, Ga. Carole was born on January 15, 1939, to William Valin and Doris Margaret Walsh in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada. After her mother remarried, she moved with her family to the United States living in such places as Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, where she eventually graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

Carole moved to Bainbridge in 1965 and became a life-long fixture of the community through her participation in multiple community organizations such as the Bainbridge Service Club, The Bainbridge Swim Team (where she served as its first President and helped organized the first of many Inland Port Swim Meets), Den Mother for both the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. And through it all she somehow managed to serve as a dedicated 37-year employee with Farm Credit Southwest Georgia (or for you old timers, South Georgia PCA!). The friendships and relationships that she has made over the years are far-reaching, and will extend for generations to come.

As a single parent of three children, money was often hard to come by, but Carole believed in keeping her three children as involved in as many activities as possible, so she made personal sacrifices in order to keep her children active and involved in programs such as band and small flags, youth and high-school sports, out-of-town trips and summer camps. Her desire was to have her children experience as much out of life as they could possibly get, learning how to succeed and pass on the life-lessons learned to the next generation of Angells. Looking back on her life and that of her three children, one may say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

She loved her three children (and the countless others that she affectionately called hers over the years). Her oldest, Sydney, was always encouraged to be strong and hold her own against the odds (which she did and still does!). Her middle, Kevin, who she encouraged to find his own path and make the most of his talents (which he did and continues to do!). And her youngest, Elizabeth, who she encouraged to shine and make a difference (which she does every day!). And her adopted one, Charlie, who she constantly encouraged to keep Kevin out of trouble (which he failed to do on many occasions because he was right there with him!) and to be the man she always knew he could be.

Yes, she loved her children dearly, but she absolutely adored her grandchild. Katie, Dallas Anne, Sara Beth, Denver Lynn, and Jeremy – all five of them were her life, her joy and none could do wrong in the eyes of their “Grammie!” Whether it was clothes for school, class trips or a weekend with friends, she made sure each one had what they needed (even slipping the occasional envelope with a few extra dollars that she didn’t think we saw – we did!). But most of all, each one was loved; unconditionally, and so deeply, that it will take a lifetime for each to fully grasp the depth in which she loved each one of them.

The greatest advice she ever gave to her family was to never look back: life would be hard enough moving forward so don’t bring the past with you. And the greatest gift she ever gave to her family was her example of what a strong individual (and particularly a woman) looked like. She showed her family how to provide in hard times, how to succeed when opportunities are rare, and how to be strong in times of adversity through her own life. And what a life it was!

Carole is survived by her three children, Sydney Heard of Bainbridge, Ga., Kevin & Suzanne Angell of Bainbridge, Ga., and Elizabeth & Jason Knox of Edison, Ga.; her five grandchildren, Katie Heard of Elmore, Ala., Dallas Anne (Michael) Wright of Alpharetta, Ga., Sara Beth Angell of Sandy Springs, Ga., Denver Lynn Knox of Tampa, Fla., and Jeremy Greene of Athens, Ga.; and her step-brothers Ernest & Freda Johnson of Alvin, TX, Kenneth Johnson of Minneapolis, Minn., and Matthew & Mary Beth Johnson of Chester, Va., along with numerous nieces and nephews. Carole is preceded in death by her father, William Valin, her mother, Doris Walsh Darling, her step-father, Don Darling, her step-mother, Grace Johnson Darling, and her beloved feline companion Milo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, 1250 Cox Avenue, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)