Obituaries

Carolyn Turner Costner, age 97, of Lincolnton, NC passed away peacefully on December 25, 2017.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Harry Huitt Costner who was an Insurance Executive and an active Civic Leader in Lincolnton.  Mr. Costner passed away in February 1973.  Carolyn was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She will live on forever in the hearts of her family and friends and be eternally remembered and loved by all who knew her.

Carolyn was born July 26, 1920 in High Point, NC.  She was the daughter of the late Dewey Harris Turner and Macie Marshall Turner.  Carolyn’s family moved back to Lincolnton when she was very young.  She graduated from Lincolnton High School and attended Mitchell College in Statesville, NC in 1941.  On Dec 10, 1942, Carolyn was united in marriage to Harry Huitt Costner at her family home on North Oak Street in Lincolnton.  Her love for travel and adventure began early in her life when during World War II she moved from Lincolnton to Santa Barbara, CA and worked in retail and administrative positions while Harry served in Normandy, Germany, and Central Europe with the 6th Armored Division. 

When the war ended, she and Harry settled in Lincolnton where Carolyn was a devoted and compassionate mother to their two children, Harry Jr. and Cecelia.  Carolyn was a faithful member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, an Altar Guild member, and active in the Women of the Lutheran Church.  Carolyn was a passionate knitter and seamstress; she adored playing golf and hosting bridge parties.  Carolyn and Harry welcomed in the holiday season by baking fruitcakes for family and friends.  She and Harry loved cooking and entertaining family and friends in their home.  For many years Carolyn volunteered with the American Red Cross and was a substitute teacher in the Lincoln County Schools where she was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her young students.  Carolyn also worked at Vermont American for several years.

She cherished her many summer vacations at Windy Hill Beach with her family.  Carolyn’s most memorable trip was traveling throughout Germany, Belgium, France, Holland and Austria with her daughter and family.  She enjoyed watching CNN, the Food and Cooking channel, and “The Price is Right” with her grandsons. 

Carolyn entered the Brian Center in 2003.  She maintained a caring and loving demeanor that won the hearts of the Brian Center staff and residents.  Her competitive spirit always came through while playing bingo with her many friends.  Her signature gift of joy was shown through her constant smile.  Carolyn was cherished by all who knew her for her loving kindness, laughter and giving heart.  Carolyn’s greatest joy in life was being a Grandmother.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the love of her life.  She beamed with joy when they came to visit.  Her heart over flowed with love for them.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years as well as her parents, Dewey Harris Turner and Macie Marshall Turner and three sisters, Evelyn Turner Aycock of Smithfield, Marilyn Turner Henderson of Lincolnton and Christine Turner Russell of Roswell, GA .

Carolyn is survived in life by her son, Harry Huitt Costner Jr. of Huntersville, NC and her daughter, Cecelia Costner Smith and her husband Joe Christopher Smith of Southport, NC.  She is also survived by her four grandsons, Harry (Trip) Huitt Costner III, and his wife Misty Costner of Arlington, VA; Christopher Brent Costner and his wife Dauphine Masset Costner of Chatham, NJ ; Christopher John Smith and his wife Kathy Langevin Smith of Gastonia, NC; and Matthew Stevenson Smith and his wife Hilary Strelshla Gehman of Princeton, NJ; great-grandchildren Elizabeth Liberty Costner, Aiden Gredone Costner, Chloe Masset Costner, Luke Dylan Smith and Carson Gehman Smith. Carolyn is also survived by her sister Eleanor Turner Brinkley of Valdese, NC. 
Harry Jr. and Cecelia give their heartfelt appreciation and debt of gratitude to the entire staff at the Brian Center Health and Retirement for making the past 14 years of Carolyn’s life filled with their compassionate care. Their incredible love, and especially the Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, gave her peace and love in her final days.

A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 11:30am. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lincolnton, NC.  Family and friends will be received in the North Annex of Emmanuel Lutheran Church from 10:30 am to 11:30 am prior to the service.   There will be a private family graveside service for the family.

Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 216 S. Aspen Street Lincolnton, NC 28092.