Carolyn Irene (Carter) Hayes, 74, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2024, surrounded by the love of her daughters and reunited with her only son.
Carolyn was born on February 26, 1952, in Tampa, Florida, to Joseph A Carter and Martha I (Hobbs) Carter. She grew up with friends and cousins in Temple Terrace, a suburb of Tampa.
As a young teenager, Carolyn moved to Saint Louis with her mom and stepdad, Eugene Shaw; they settled in Bridgeton, where the family owned Mark Twain Tire Center, and she attended Pattonville High School. A lifetime lover of all things hair, she went on to beauty school. In the early 80’s, she and her children moved to Woodson Terrace, Missouri. Realizing the hours were not conducive to raising her young family, she took a job at Don Schunk Chrysler Dodge Jeep, where she would stay for many years. She was able to retire in 2014.
The great loves of her life were her children & grandchildren. Grandma Darlin to her grandkids, more than anything else, she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them and was immensely proud of their many accomplishments. She loved music, particularly Elvis! She could often be found with his music turned up as loud as was socially acceptable. Carolyn loved making people happy, had a kind smile and a warm, caring heart. At the end of the day, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for someone.
She is survived by her daughters, Stacey (Brian) Geldmacher & Jaime (Randy) Kunin, and grandchildren, Jakob, Olivia, Ember, William, Ash, Liliana and Ry; as well as siblings, Hal, Tommy, Steven and Barbara, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her son, William, her parents, and brothers.
Services: Funeral from KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. Mon. July 13, 11 a.m. Burial Calvary Cemetery. Visitation Sun. 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her name to St. Louis de Greeff Hospice House (10024 Kennerly Road, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63129), Meals on Wheels of Greater STL (PO Box 410395, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63141) or Great Plains Mastiff Rescue (PO Box 6173, Edmond, Oklahoma).