Carolyn Fairfax

Carolyn Henley Fairfax departed this life peacefully on Sunday, March 3, 2024. She was a loving person who cared deeply for her family and friends. She was loved and respected by those who knew her. Carolyn will be missed by the lives she touched over the years. She was a retiree of Watsons Distribution Center, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Sep-1970 thru Oct-1994).Carolyn was a singer, a longtime songwriter, played the keyboard, and sang in a band at one point in her life. As young adults, Carolyn and her lifelong friend, Belinda Anderson, sang together in their church choir. She was very athletic, often riding her bike around her neighborhood and other parts of the city. She also enjoyed playing tennis with family and friends, and competed in various tennis matches. She loved to travel but refused to go anywhere by airplane. Carolyn enjoyed many genres of music. Some of her favorite artists were MC Hammer, Stevie Wonder, Joe, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Carolyn was extremely organized and detailed in everything she did, in her workplace and at home. She never left home without her personal cup full of her favorite soft drink or iced tea. Carolyn was a dog lover. Throughout the years, she had many pet dogs. Her absolute favorite pet was Velvet, or as she called her, Vella-Vella. Carolyn was steadfast in her beliefs, and she didn't bite her tongue while standing her ground or defending her friends and family, especially her daughter.

She was preceded in death by her mother Katie Rawlins; beloved aunt Carrie “Tee” Russell; husband Curtis Fairfax Sr.; stepson Curtis E. Fairfax Jr.; mother-in-law Irene Fairfax; brothers-in-law Edward Fairfax; Terry W. Fairfax; sister-in-law Zelma Carson; niece Tonja Ivory. She leaves to cherish her memory daughter Kim Yvette Drew; sister-in-law Ruth Fairfax; devoted nieces Connie Fairfax-Hodge; Kimberly (Tracey) Carson; Christa Carson; nephews Samuel “Tony” (Vyckea) Moss; Charles Edward (Caroline) Carson III; Jubal Carson; Zachary (Pat) Carson; Zoltan (Cassandra) Carson; brother-in-law Charles Edward Carson Jr.; devoted friends Mary McTeer; Loretta Stewart; Toni Sawyer; Belinda Anderson; Theresa Teamer; special friends and neighbors Gail Borowicz; Isha Abbott; Ben Maynard; and a host of other family and friends.

As we gather together, let us not mourn her passing but rather celebrate the love, memories and joy that we shared with Carolyn.

Thursday, March 21, 2024, family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 with a graveside service to follow at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 5901 Lyons View, Knoxville, TN. In Lieu of Flowers, please consider contributing to the Cancer Support Community East Tennessee. Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD 1-800-824-8283 or http://www.pattonfuneralhome1962.com

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