Mary Carolyn Diggs Crossley Garnett was born on September 13, 1932, in Anniston, Alabama, and passed away on April 21, 2026, at the age of 93 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Carolyn grew up in Anniston and attended Anniston High School, where she enjoyed playing several instruments in the band. She married H. Cooper Crossley in 1949; together they established several businesses including Lake Martin’s Castaway Island Resort, Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Dadeville, Alabama, and Mount Etna Skyride in Chattanooga, Tennessee, while raising a family. After the death of her husband, Cooper in 1987, she met and married Earnest Garnett of Tallassee, Alabama, in 1992. Carolyn was a dedicated follower of Jesus, and a longtime devoted member of First Baptist Church of Tallassee, Alabama. There she enjoyed teaching a couples class for many years, spoiling her class with baked treats each Sunday. She also volunteered in the nursery, where she loved the babies. Carolyn was a devoted mother, step-mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a loving influence to all the related children, too many to name, many of whom were blessed by being hosted at her home on Lake Martin during the summers. Some of those blessings included her famous chicken snacks, chicken stew, biscuits, and a multitude of delicious desserts, but only after you cleaned your plate. It was a requirement in her kitchen to eat your vegetables and try new things. Carolyn was always a source of wisdom, generous with her time, and a giver of loving encouragement.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, O. S. Diggs and Ruby Louise Woods Diggs; husbands, H. Cooper Crossley and Earnest Garnett; her son, Hogue Crossley; and grandson, Brandon Crossley. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lee and Frank Morra; her son and daughter-in-law, Lyle and Nancy Crossley; her daughter-in-law, Cindy Crossley; grandchildren, Charissa Oglesby, Anand Crossley, Emily Crossley, and Sam Crossley; and great-grandchildren, Rhea Oglesby, Morgan Oglesby, Ian Holbert, and Oliver Holbert.

As a final act of service, Carolyn wished her body to be donated for medical education and research, continuing to help others after her passing. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.