Carolyn Gibbs Wilson

Born August 26, 1932, in Spartanburg County, SC, she was the daughter of Viola Marie Reynolds and James Riley Gibbs. In 1954, she married William Leander “Bill” Wilson, also of Spartanburg, and the young couple moved to Charlotte, where he joined Bennett Advertising and she worked as a legal secretary Uptown.

In 1970, while raising three small children, Carolyn went to work for the newly created Mary Kay Cosmetics. Within a few years she became the company’s first director of sales in North Carolina. A recipient of many accolades during the company’s first decades, she was especially proud of the achievements of her mentees, many of whom were like family.

Carolyn was a devoted mother and provider to her children, a loving, indulgent grandmother and great-grandmother, and a generous and reliable friend to many. Steady like a rock, she was an unfailing source of compassion, shelter, and assistance to those close to her. At any time of year, and especially at holidays, her home was always open to family and friends, old and new.

She is survived by her three children, Brad Wilson (Michael), Susan Haigler, and Julie Ferguson (Hal); four grandchildren, Jonathon Haigler, Nicholas Haigler, James Schill, and Caroline Hill (Mark); three great-grandchildren, Honoria Haigler, Cash Hill, and Ivy Hill; a brother, Cletus Gibbs; longtime friend, Annette Mitchell, Kenneth Prager (Dianne), Sherry Hanes (Jimmy); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Kathleen Davis, Helen Henson, and Mildred Doster; two brothers, James and Kenneth Gibbs, and sister-in-law, Donna Gibbs.

A celebration of life service will be held at McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel in Charlotte on Sunday, December 29 at 2 pm, with visitation beginning at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association:

https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com