Carol was a wise, talented, kind, generous, encouraging and gentle person who will be missed greatly.    Our family knew her growing up at Central United Methodist Church, where she would occasionally substitute as organist or accompany choir rehearsals.  Carol played for funerals for years at Estes Leadley in downtown Lansing.  She loved to travel, and my mother liked to consult Carol about where to visit and where to stay when she was planning a trip. She was a woman of great style and taste, but always very unassuming.  When she spoke up at Lansing Matinee Musicale Board meetings, her voice was soft, but her confidence was unshakable.  Carol was very encouraging to me as a singer, and I am forever grateful to have known her.

I had the good fortune of hiring Carol as Organist at First United Methodist Church of Lansing.  Her musical skills combined with her commitment to help the church thrive, made her a marvelous partner in ministry.  She became a good friend of both my wife and I, sharing in many of the passages in my pastoral career.  Carol was one of the substitute organists when I was pastor of the Mason United United Methodist Church too.  She was always gracious, generous, and thoughtful.  We will miss her but have many fond memories that are treasures for us.  

Bob and Pigeon Hundley
Grand Rapids, MI

Carol and I became friends over music ... however we both shared a love for gardening, so we spent a lot of time at both... she was one of the most dedicated and genetous patrons to the church music climate in the greater Lansing area.  Carol also loved to travel, and every time she returned, she brought new music for 4 hands & piano or piano and organ for us to play... some of my most cherished times  are with Carol!  Yes, I am going to miss her, but oh those memories are still with me... forever.

I first met Carol as a young teenager at Plymouth Church where my family attended.
She was there to play continuo for a cantata. From then on she never failed to keep up with what I was doing and on several occasions came to concerts I was playing in the region. 

I will always remember Carol's kindness and her tireless encouragement.

Requiescat in pace.


I have such fond memories of Carol. Whenever I would need a substitute organist at any of the churches I was working at she was one of the first organists I would call plus she accompanied me as a soloist many times. The last time I saw her was at one of the Live from the Met broadcasts on Saturday afternoons. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

I have many memories of Carol from the time I was a child, growing up musically and spiritually at Central Methodist Church.  She was the organist at the Baptist church which had moved right next door the Central. But we even knew her when the church was at its former location. We went to summer bible school there. 
A wonderful organist, she was also an extremely accomplished accompanist. She often accompanied choir rehearsals at Central, never not being able to sight read the most difficult score. 
When I won First Prize at the St. Albans international organ competition in 1975, she and my mother, Louise, traveled to England for the concert tour organized afterwards. They attended every one of those concerts. It was wonderful to have a meal with them on tour to discuss everything from tourism to how the concert went. 
Adieu to an elegant and talented woman who brought light and good to the world. 
God bless and God rest her Soul. 

Carol was a long time friend going back to when she was organist at First United Methodist.  We often attended concerts together.

Carol was a long-time friend and will be missed.

I am honoring Carol's memory as a fellow organist in the Lansing Chapter - AGO.  I want to extend my greetings and condolences to members of her family and  her friends.  Carol had a passion for music that her musician friends share.

OBITUARY

Carol Lou Broughton

May 23, 1932 – April 22, 2020

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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