
Carolyn Jean Curtis Crow, 95, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, died peacefully at home Dec. 15, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born on April 26, 1930, in Gulfport, Miss., the daughter of the late Charles Alfred Curtis and Ettye Holcombe Curtis.
Carolyn spent her early childhood in Chicago, IL, where she enjoyed ice skating, making snow angels, and modeling children’s clothing for Marshall Field’s. The family later moved to Calera, AL, where Carolyn finished high school and then enrolled in Auburn University, where she majored in Home Economics. She worked as a Home Demonstration Agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1951 to 1953.
On Aug. 21, 1953, she married the Rev. Dr. Conrad Gilbert Crow. Throughout their marriage, she was deeply engaged in church life and ministry and devoted herself to managing a busy household while raising three young children, each spaced two years apart.
While living in Charleston, WV, she worked for more than a decade as a lecturer for Weight Watchers as well as working at Cook’s Jewelry and Gift Shop. During her years in Chesapeake, VA, she became a certified Master Gardener. In Jonesborough, TN, she was a member of P.E.O and the Schubert Club.
Carolyn was loving, kind, and patient to all. She loved family get-togethers and talking about family history. She enjoyed the outdoors, flowers, and leisurely car rides while listening to music, and she was an animal lover to creatures great and small. She and Conrad took many trips “across the pond,” and one of their favorites was to Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where they visited the home and office of James Herriot. Numerous trips around the country with her late son Charlie and daughter-in-law Jenny included Nova Scotia, Las Vegas, and Alaska. She also enjoyed two trips out West to visit her Curtis family members.
Although she spent many years in the mountains, her heart always remained close to her Southern roots. She proudly displayed a plaque that read: “The South: the place where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter, front porches are wide and words are long, and someone’s heart is always being blessed.”
In addition to her parents and younger brother Jack, Carolyn was preceded in death by her youngest son Charles and husband Conrad.
She is survived by her daughter Terri Crow Knight (Hal), and granddaughters Sarah Knight and Carolyn Knight; son Marshall (Anne) and granddaughter Katherine Crow; granddaughter Jennifer Crow Wheeler; and one nephew, Bill Wright. She is also survived by her Curtis relatives: Barbara Curtis, LeeAnne Curtis Knisley (Ted), Charles Curtis (Jennifer), Jack Curtis (Michelle), and Carolynn Curtis Grimes (Jim).
The family extends special thanks and gratitude to her long-time caretaker Angelia Lewis.
We will carry the memories of her laughter and smiles in the years to come.
Arrangements are being handled by Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home of Jonesborough, TN.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to:
• Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, 128 West Main St., Jonesborough TN 37659
• Philanthropic Educational Organization, PEO International, 3700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 64772-2790, Memorial to Chapter AE-TN
Carolyn will be interred later in the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary Memorial Garden with her husband.