Carolyn Akin Best

Carolyn Akin Best, 83, formerly of Madison, Ms, died peacefully on October 23, 2015 in Marietta, Georgia. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2015, beginning at 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, followed by a service in the church chapel at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park, 6000 Clinton Boulevard, immediately following the service.

Carolyn was born May 27, 1932 to the late William Allen Akin and Dorothy Kennedy Akin. She married her late husband Rex Jerome Best, Jr. in 1951. Carolyn is survived by her children Rex Jerome Best III (Willie) of Panama City, Fl; William Akin Best (EJ) of Perry, LA; and Victoria Best Johnson (James) of Underhill, VT. Grandchildren include Rex Jerome Best IV (Carol) of Mt. Hope, KS; Catherine Best Leach (David) of Meridian, MS; and William Akin Best Jr of Lafayette, La. Great grandchildren Ryan Parker Best and Nathaniel Garner Best. Carolyn also leaves a sister Dottie Akin of Roswell, Ga.

Carolyn graduated from Central High School and attended Belhaven College before marrying Rex who was a 2nd Lieutenant in the army at the time. They lived in New York and New Jersey, returning to Jackson in 1954 and later moving to Baltimore, Md where Rex started his own business, Best Pictures, with Carolyn as business manager. In 1964 they returned to Jackson and settled in Natchez Trace Village and continued as partners in their business. She remained in Madison until 2010 when she moved to Roswell, GA to be closer to her sister.

Carolyn was a woman of many talents and interests. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson for over 70 years and in 2003 was honored by Women in the Church with Life Membership. Coinciding with her interest in genealogy she was instrumental in establishing and organizing the church's history room, which facilitated the writing and publication of a history of the now 178 year old church. She was a past Regent of the Rebecca Cravat chapter of DAR, a member of Demitasse luncheon club, and an avid reader and bridge player. She and her husband enjoyed camping, boating, and traveling to visit friends and family. Above everything else, however, her family was her greatest joy and accomplishment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Gateway Rescue Mission, 328 South Gallatin Street, Jackson, 39207 or French Camp Academy, French Camp, MS 39745.