Carol Brooks Hyland

Carol Brooks Hyland was born on April 14, 1942 in Montgomery, Alabama. Her parents, W.C. and Mary Brooks created a loving home for Carol and her brother, Bill and sister, Bettye. She loved spending time growing up with her extended family and friends. One of her favorite activities growing up was being a part of her Girl Scout Troop whom she continued to be in touch with through the years. She graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Troy University and a Master’s degree from Auburn University.

Carol’s value for education and learning was at the heart of who she was. She taught business courses at Carver High School and Robert E. Lee High School and was also an adjunct teacher at AUM. She loved helping her students reach their full potential and instilled in them a love for learning. Although she retired in 1994, she felt one should never stop learning or teaching. She was constantly studying and never without a book. Carol was inducted in the Lee High School Hall of Fame in 2006. In recent years, she audited a Bible Class at Faulkner University. Her much younger classmates quickly found that her study group was the one to be in if you wanted to do well on the test.

Carol always said the most important decision she ever made was to accept Christ as her Savior. She lived out her faith in every part of her life. At Eastmont Baptist Church, she found joy in service. She loved teaching God’s Word to people of all ages and took that responsibility very seriously, spending hours and days studying and preparing to teach.

Besides her faith, her family was her greatest joy. She married the love of her life, Jim Hyland, 55 years ago. They were set up by friends at a picnic by the lake. Jim says he knew she was the one when she agreed to jump off the bridge into the lake with him.

Through the years, Jim and Carol have traveled to amazing places, served their community, opened their home to others, and raised two amazing daughters, Renee and Shannon. They found great joy spending time with their grandchildren, Cooper and Campbell. Their love demonstrates the very heart of what a marriage should be.

Carol was always the fun and wise mom. She planned the best birthday parties and baked unparalleled birthday cakes with elaborate themes. When her grandchildren came along, she’d bake them whatever cake they wanted every year. She never missed an opportunity to make others feel special and loved.

In addition to her family, Carol was blessed with an enduring community of friends who worshiped together, served together, traveled together, played bridge together and supported each other.

In 1994, Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer and given a ten percent chance of survival. She prayed that God allow her to live to see her girls grow up and live fulfilling lives. When her grandchildren were born, her greatest wish was to see them grow up and find their passions. God, in His infinite wisdom, granted both of these requests. She had a grateful outlook knowing each day is a gift from God. Carol passed away peacefully on Friday, December 15, 2023 after a prolonged illness.

Carol certainly had a life well lived and her legacy is one of love, passion, faith, and generosity.

Carol was preceded in death by her father, William Carl Brooks Sr.; mother, Mary Thompson Brooks; and sister, Bettye Brooks Westerkamp.

She is survived by her brother, William Carl Brooks Jr. (Janet); husband, James Robert Hyland; daughters, Shannon Leigh Hyland, Renee Hyland Pate (James Stephen Pate); and grandchildren, James Cooper Pate and Campbell Leigh Pate.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service held at Eastmont Baptist Church on Thursday, December 21, 2023 with visitation 10-11am and service at 11am. There will be a private family graveside following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Carol requested that donations be made to Eastmont Baptist Church Library.