Carolyn Yvonne Hanks

Our beloved Carolyn Yvonne Hanks (née Smith) passed away on November 1, just one day before her 90th birthday. She was born in Alabama and raised in the Florida Keys alongside her siblings Francis, Berenice, James, and Winston.

At a young age, she modeled and participated in beauty pageants, which caught the eye of the love of her life — Air Force pilot Douglas Hanks. Together they traveled the world and raised three children: Douglas Jr., David, and Donald.

Carolyn was a worldly woman who connected easily with people from all walks of life. Throughout her years, she took on many roles — nurse, flight attendant, and realtor — but the ones she cherished most were being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

A devout Catholic, she lived her faith through service, volunteering weekly for Meals on Wheels and giving back to her community in countless ways. In her free time, she loved playing bridge and had a lifelong passion for musicals.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas, and her sons, Douglas Jr. and Donald. She will be deeply missed by her son David; grandchildren Amber, Douglas III (Trey), and Dylan; and great-grandchildren Carter and her namesake, Carolyn “Lucy” Hanks.

A Mass in her honor will be held on Wednesday, November 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Eugene Catholic Church.