Carolyn Farris Stevens

Carolyn Farris Stevens, 83, of Albany, Georgia, passed away on October 14, 2025. A service to celebrate Carolyn's life will be held at First Methodist Church of Albany on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 am with visitation beforehand at 10 am. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, to John and Nora Farris, Carolyn grew up in Cuthbert, Georgia, where she graduated as valedictorian of the Cuthbert High School Class of 1960. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard College (now Samford University) in 1963, where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. After college, Carolyn moved to Atlanta, where she worked as a secretary for C&S Bank and later taught business education at Roswell High School. She married Sam Stevens in 1966. Carolyn and Sam moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969, and then to Albany, Georgia, in 1973, where Sam co-founded Albany Safety Equipment Company with Howard Garwood. Once her children were older, Carolyn joined the business part-time as office manager, a role she held for many years. Always a lifelong learner, Carolyn earned her master’s degree from Georgia Southwestern University in 2002 and then taught classes at Darton College. Carolyn had been an active member of First Methodist Church in Albany since 1987, previously attending Sherwood Baptist Church. She loved music and shared her talents generously—singing in the church choir, playing handbells, and accompanying the children’s choir and her Sunday School class on piano. In her younger years, she played clarinet and tenor saxophone in her high school band. Carolyn loved spending time at her beach house in St. Augustine, Florida. She was an avid tennis player and member of Pine Forest Racquet Club. She also enjoyed walking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, John and Nora Farris; her husband, Sam Stevens; her sister, Lois McLendon; her niece, Denise McLendon; and her nephew, Glenn McLendon. She is survived by her daughter, Marlene Rinker (Dave) of Seattle, Washington; her son, Paul Stevens (Tonya Egan) of Salt Lake City, Utah; her granddaughters, Maisie and Nora Stevens of Salt Lake City, Utah; her niece, Melanie Sheppard of Edison, Georgia; and her dear friend and companion, John Loomis of Albany, Georgia. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Wynfield Park for their compassionate care during Carolyn’s time there. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carolyn's memory to First Methodist Church, Albany, Georgia.

Carolyn Farris Stevens

September 14, 1942 - October 14, 2025