Barbara Ruth Rounds Carson, a teacher, longtime community volunteer, and mom, died on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at the age of 95. She was born in Auburn, Maine, attended Colby Junior College in New London, New Hampshire, and was graduated from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts with an AB in English Composition. She won Mademoiselle magazine’s writing contest – Prix de Paris. World War II changed the “prix” from a season in Paris to a year in New York at Tobe Coburn School of Fashion Merchandising. In her own words, this did not make her fashionable but led to a buyer’s job at Macy’s where she met her future husband, Robert Howard Carson.
Bob joined the Navy and moved to Washington, DC and in 1943, they married. Barbara became a housewife, Red Cross Gray Lady, and worked in the local victory garden in their new hometown of Alexandria, Virginia. After the war, they moved back to Bronxville and on to Summit, New Jersey, welcoming three of five children.
In 1955, Barbara and Bob became Southerners, moving to Athens, Georgia, and continued to grow their family. As they raised their five children, Barbara was also a dedicated volunteer.
Her life took a new direction in 1962. Barbara returned to school for a Master’s degree and began 28 years of teaching, as instructor and later as assistant professor in the English Department at University of Georgia. During her teaching career, she wrote a grammar and composition text published by Merrill, rewrote a third of a MacMillan handbook for a second edition, and reviewed and edited many similar texts. Barbara was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, elected chapter secretary for 14 years, and then president.
In 1985, an Egyptian citizen and former UGA graduate offered her a job teaching English at his newly formed prep school in Maadi, Egypt. While living there, she studied Arabic, joined a church, forged friendships with ex-pats from the American Embassy, and traveled extensively throughout the country.
Returning from Egypt, she continued her teaching career at UGA until her retirement in 1990.
Barbara’s volunteer commitment began in Summit, NJ, where she was president of the YWCA board and the Summit Junior League. Her work there resulted in the Summit Child Care Center, Inc., its history much like that of Athens Family Counseling Center.
In Athens, her volunteer work spanned decades, as chairman of the Co-Operative Nursery School, Girl Scouts’ board member, Sunday school teacher at Athens First United Methodist Church, helping families dislocated by Urban Renewal, and teaching GED classes at Athens Community High School. She served as president of Athens Junior League, Athens Mental Health Association, Athens Family Counseling Service, and Athens Tutorial Program. She worked with the Athens Adult Learning Center, reviewed foster care for the Juvenile Court, and was a member of Town and Gown and Athens Symphony Guilds.
Barbara was an avid bridge player, a charter member and past president of the Glenwood Garden Club, member and past president of The Wednesday Study Club, and member of the Athens First United Methodist Women’s Circle.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Howard Carson, Sr., and a granddaughter, Eve Marie Carson.
She is survived by her sister, Nancy Stimson Chester of Pasadena, CA, and her five children and twelve grandchildren: Carol Carson Vale (Darrell) of Charlotte, NC and Jeanne, Todd, Sylvia, David, Geoffrey, Joshua, and Joe; Christina Carson of Columbia, SC; Robert Carson, Jr. (Teresa) and Andrew of Athens; Mary Carson Young of Athens and Kelley; Mark Carson (Issel) and Christopher, Isabelle, and Caroline of Atlanta; four great grandchildren and a bevy of nieces and nephews.
On Wednesday, November 11, 2015, the family will receive visitors from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. in the John Wesley Parlor at Athens First United Methodist Church. The celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will follow in Oconee Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Athens Family Counseling Service, Inc., 1435 Oglethorpe Avenue, Athens, Georgia, 30606.
Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.
Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service has charge of arrangements.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5