Obituary of Carolyn James Lane

Carolyn James Lane, 81, passed away June 7, 2014, in Mt. Juliet, TN. Carolyn was a longtime resident of Clinton, MS prior to moving to Mt. Juliet, TN in 2006. Carolyn was born August 30, 1932, in Decatur, MS to the late Herschel and Ola Mae James. After graduating from Beulah Hubbard High School and East Central Community College, she moved as a young woman to Jackson, MS to work for the "phone company" with her sister, Delores. Shortly after she moved to Jackson, friends arranged for her to go on a blind date with a handsome young Marine on leave, Benjamin Lane of Flora, MS. After he reportedly drove around the block to catch a glimpse of her before he committed, he obviously decided that he liked what he saw. They were married three months later, and Carolyn moved with him to Portsmouth, New Hampshire where he was stationed. Their first daughter, Debra was born there in 1956. Then, they relocated back to the Jackson area and sisters Donna and Leigh followed. Ben and Carolyn would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on September 02, 2014. Carolyn was an accomplished artist and during the seventies had several art exhibits around the Jackson area. Although she began painting with oils, she studied under several well-known watercolorists from the West coast who inspired in her a love of watercolor techniques. She especially loved painting landscape scenes of old barns in Mississippi. Carolyn also worked many years part-time as a switchboard operator for Gayfers, first in the Jackson Mall and later the Metrocenter. Carolyn and Ben were longtime members of First United Methodist Church of Clinton, MS where she was involved on many projects where she used her artistic talents for the church. Memaw, as she was known from the time her grandson could first talk, will be greatly missed by her family. Her greatest accomplishment was being a wonderful mother and grandmother, and our lives were richly blessed by her loving care. Carolyn was predeceased by her sister, Delores Davis and her daughter, Debra Karen Pace. She is survived by her husband, Ben H. Lane of Mt. Juliet, TN; daughters Donna Lewis (Steve) of Clinton, MS and Leigh Brydalski (Jonathan) of Mt. Juliet, TN; sisters Lynda Frink and Lyla Lou White of Decatur, MS; and beloved grandchildren, Brenton Lewis (Holly) of Brandon, MS, Kellye Lewis of Clinton, MS, Casey and Julia Brydalski of Mt. Juliet, TN, and several nieces. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or First United Methodist Church, Clinton, MS. A graveside memorial service will be held in Flora, MS at a later date where Carolyn's ashes will be interred. Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2250 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com