Carolyn Kuykendal Grier

Obituary: Kannapolis, NC- Carolyn Kuykendal Grier, age 92, died Saturday, February 19, 2011 following a brief illness. She was born January 22, 1919 in Mecklenburg County, NC, the daughter of the late Franklin Banks Kuykendal and Carrie Rea Kuykendal. She began her education in a one room school house in Providence Presbyterian Church. Carolyn attended Matthews High School and Queens College. After graduating from Queens she continued her education becoming a Medical Technologist and began working for Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte when a second technologist was needed. She married N.C. Grier in 1948 in Charlotte and they moved to Kannapolis in 1954 and lived there most of their lives. They were both very active members of First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis. They served in many ways and especially enjoyed serving together for many years at the weekly Wednesday lunch. Carolyn was good at many things- sewing, quilting, cooking, canning produce from N.C.'s garden - but she was especially good at loving and caring for others. She thrived in her role as "Nana". All of the family has special memories of annual vacations to the beach. No matter what she was doing, she had the special ability to make it look easy, effortless, and a pleasure. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, N.C. Grier; a brother, Franklin B. Kuykendal; and sisters, Emma K. Greene, Judith K. Rutledge, and Margaret K. Bissell. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:30 P.M. Friday, February 25, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Catherine George, Chris Edscorn and Rev. David Norris, a son-in-law. A private graveside service will be held earlier that day at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:30 P.M. Friday in the parlor at First Presbyterian Church. Her body will lie in state at Whitley's Funeral Home from Thursday afternoon, February 24th until 10:00 a.m. Friday. Survivors include her two daughters, Alice Norris & husband, David of Hesston, Kansas and Carol Beam & husband, Norman of Concord, NC; nine loving grandchildren, Carrie Lutke & husband, Nathaniel, Kristen Thomas & husband, Philip, Kimberly Bauer & husband, Zach, Michael and Jeffrey Norris, Emily Meeks & husband, Craig, Andrew, Matthew, and Adam Beam; two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Emma Meeks; and a number of VERY special nieces, nephews, and extended family. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 201 Vance Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081 OR Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 1:00 - 2:30 PM Friday, February 25 in the parlor at First Presbyterian Church

Service: Memorial services will be held at 2:30 PM Friday, February 25 at First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis

Interment: Private Interment will be at Carolina Memorial Park