Caroline Roberson McLeod

Caroline was born on May 13, 1941 to Harvey Lewis and Hattie Roberson in Robersonville, NC. The middle child and only daughter, she also had two male double first cousins who lived around the corner. 6 male relatives kept Caroline on her toes and she could duke it out with the best of them when she needed to.

After graduating from Robersonville High School, she went on to East Carolina University and gained a degree in Education. It was there that she met her future husband Brooks. The two married in December of 1963 and then moved themselves off to begin their careers. Ultimately, after having their first daughter Kimber, they ended up in Watauga County NC, with Brooks working at the university and Caroline being a SAHM to Kimber and then later Beth.

That grew old quickly (Kimber and Beth were a handful) and Caroline figured that working with 30 students all day HAD to be easier than dealing with two stubborn children, and she went back to work with the Watauga County Schools, first as an aide and then as a teacher. Thus began a twenty five year career as an elementary teacher- at Parkway Elementary School. Mabel Elementary School, and finally Hardin Park Elementary School. She spent her time teaching her students and trying to impart wisdom on her own children (that worked some of the time), as well as mentoring a plethora of student teachers, and teaching math concepts to teachers across the state as a part of the prestigious TEAM (Teaching Excellence and Mathematics). She was loved by teachers, parents, and students alike, and many families had multiple children go through her classroom.

When school wasn’t in session, she spent her time with her family and her friends. She worked tirelessly as a helper in Vacation Bible School for years (“The Wheels on the Bus” made her cringe even up to her last days), and helped with bazaars and bereavement committees after her retirement.

She and Brooks loved competition. Well, Brooks loved competition of all kinds. Caroline liked beating Brooks. Tennis, racquetball, bridge…they loved a good game with friends. Many a weekend were spent at the President’s Courts on the Appalachian State University campus, with Brooks and Caroline playing doubles in tennis, while Kimber and Beth whined until they were given money to go grab pizza slices at Sollecito’s.

Later, after Kimber and Beth both had children, Caroline loved being a Mema. She especially loved having cursed both her children with the ever popular “I hope you have children just like you.” They did, and this was cause for much amusement to Caroline….until she remembered she would be babysitting. She took it in stride, and spoiled her grandbabies before sending them home to their parents.

Within the last few years, it became apparent that both Brooks and Caroline were experiencing memory issues. While Brooks was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Caroline’s dementia

moved at a swifter and more uneven pace. After Brooks passed away, she spent the last year at a memory care facility in Oak Island, NC. There were days when she did not recognize anyone, but she still tried to push through and was still able to snap out sarcastic quips, much to the delight of her daughters.

Caroline was met at the Pearly Gates by her parents Harvey Lewis and Hattie Roberson, her brother and her cousin Johnny Roberson and Edwin Roberson, her granddaughters Erin Elizabeth Buelow and Victoria Lynn Earp, and her husband of sixty years, Brooks McLeod, along with a host of family and friends. She is survived by her daughters Kimber Buelow (Jason) of Charlotte, NC and Beth McLeod of Leland, NC, as well as her granddaughters Alyssa Buelow and Zoe Earp. She is also survived by her brothers Tommy Roberson, Lewis Ross Roberson (Colleen), James Keel Roberson (Kathy), and her cousin Dennis Roberson (Joy), as well as a ton of nieces and nephews and family who will miss her dearly.

A memorial for Caroline and Brooks will be held in Boone, NC in the Spring of 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/northcarolina), or to the Watauga County Schools (details to follow later).

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.