She was born in Lenoir, NC on May 15, 1957 to Robert Lingle and Carolyn Keaton Lingle. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Wesley Payne; twin sister, Robin Beane (Tim); nephew, Thomas Beane; niece, Tiffany Street (Bennett) and cousins Priscilla Watson, Peggy Duncan, Mitch Keaton and Kelly Rucker. She was preceded in death by her step-son, Michael Payne.
Carol grew up in Hudson, NC graduating from Hudson High School in 1975. She went on to attend and graduate from Western Piedmont Community College and then the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1979) with a degree in Criminal Justice.
After college, Carol joined the Charlotte Police Department (now Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department) where she retired after 29 years of service in 2008 at the rank of Detective.
Although suffering with the effects of dementia for many years, Carol always maintained her beautiful smile and warmly greeted all of those whom she encountered. She was especially fond of spending time with family and her many friends. Carol was well traveled having been to all 50 states and over two dozen countries. Among her favorite trips, and ones that she fondly recounted, were staying at the Ice Hotel in northern Sweden and volunteering at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska on two occasions.
Upon retirement, Carol embraced the volunteer spirit where she gave of herself and her time at various charities and events. In addition to volunteering at the Iditarod, she spent a week with the Volunteer East Tennessee organization helping to assist those displaced from the devastating fires surrounding Gatlinburg, TN in the fall of 2016. But, Carol most especially enjoyed her ten years volunteering each week at Cooperative Christian Ministry in Concord, NC where she was able to directly assist those in need.
Carol's family is extremely appreciative of the many doctors and health care professionals who assisted her during her journey these last several years. The family is deeply thankful to Dr. Ki Jung and Dr. Beth Archer, both of whom provided a very personal level of care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cooperative Christian Ministry of Concord, NC, Hospice and Palliative Care - Charlotte Region (HPCCR), or St. John's Lutheran Church, 352 Central St., Hudson, NC 28638.
A memorial service for Carol will be held Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 3:00 PM at St. John's Lutheran Church, 352 Central Street, Hudson, NC 28638. A reception will immediately follow.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Payne family.
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