Carolyn Patterson Rushing was born on March 09 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Rev. and Mrs. Frank Hural Patterson.  She is the fourth and last child of four children, namely Frank Hural Patterson, Jr., Claire M. Gilner, and Dorothy M. Jones, all deceased.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Lanier Rushing, retired Vice President of Hancock Bank.

She is survived by one son, Sidney Lanier Rushing, Jr., of San Marcos, Texas, one daughter, Dr. Kim Rushing Ingram (Bobbie), and two very special grandsons, Julian Lanier Ingram (University of Texas, San Antonio) and Kenny Gregory Ingram (Texas Tech University, Lubbock) all of Humble, Texas and several nieces, nephews, godchildren and other family members.

After graduating from high school at Valena C. Jones in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Carolyn attended Jackson State College/University, where she was a cheerleader and was very active in intramural sports.

She earned her B.S. Degree in Physical Education in 1955 and returned to Jackson State in 1956 to become certified in Elementary Education.  She earned her master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969. In addition, she earned an Education Specialist Degree in Elementary Education, Certification in Early Childhood Education and Administration from William Carey University during 1980 – 1984.

Carolyn started her teaching career as a third-grade teacher at the Thirty-Third Elementary School in 1959 in Gulfport, Mississippi.  She later transferred to the newly built facility named 28 ^th Street Elementary.  With the signing of the Integration Law of 1954, she volunteered to transfer to North Central Elementary as a part of three (3) year process.  At North Central Elementary, she requested and received the honor of teaching in a Federally Funded Program entitled Follow-Through. This program followed up with Head Start students from Kindergarten to third grade with specified training and a curriculum designed and sponsored by the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.

After teaching in this program for several exciting and fulfilling years, she was cited for the position of Resource Teacher, which included observing and assistant teachers with classroom strategies and activities to ensure student success. She received the Teacher of the Year Award in 1973.

Again, the administration offered her the position of Co-Director, and after several years she was named Principal of 28 ^th Street Elementary in the year 1985.  She was principal at 28 ^th Street for nine years before retiring in 1994 with thirty-five (35) years of devotion, dedication, and love of service in the Gulfport School District.

Carolyn officially became an active member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in 1960.  She transferred from Valena C. Jones United Methodist Church in Bay St. Louis.  She has served with commitment and joy for 58 years in the following positions and ministries: Kindergarten Team Teacher, Young Adult Class Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School: Director, Teacher, Asst. Teacher and Kitchen Committee, Lay Leader, Finance Committee – Chair, Witness and Evangelism – Chair, Board of Trustees – Member, Pastor Parish Relations Council – Member, Nominations Committee – Member, Usher Ministry – President, Health and Wellness Ministry – Chair, United Methodist Women – Secretary, Church Anniversary – Chair, Acolyte Ministry – Chair, Choirs (3), Provided Training for Acolytes and Usher, Conducted Confirmation and New member classes.

She was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Theta Zeta Omega Chapter and former member of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., St. Mark United Methodist Women, Leadership Gulf Coast Class of 1991, and Sassy Sisters of the Red Hat Society.  She served on the Job Corp Neighborhood Council and Moore Community Board of Directors and as a Mentor and volunteer at 28 ^th Street Elementary.  She was on the Board of Directors of the Retired Partnership Program and served as an Ambassador.

After retirement, she worked part-time for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) as a Registration Assistant and also enjoyed working at the voting precincts.  Her church family, dancing, bowling, and reading were the focal points of enjoyment in her life until her death.

**In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be make to St. Mark United Methodist Church.

ST. MARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

P. O. Box 885

Gulfport,MS 39502