Carol S. Shore

I, Carol Frances Shore Shore, “the Hat Lady”, am writing my own obituary.  Most of my life was spent in Boonville, NC. My parents were William Vance Shore and Vonnie Marie Coram Shore.  I graduated from Boonville High School and Appalachian State Teachers College.

I was married to Ray W. Shore a month after college graduation and was supposed to begin my teaching career at Yadkinville Elementary. However, due to an automobile accident I was unable to start that year.  The following year, I fell the first day of school and broke my knee and was out another year.

Finally, I did teach a year at Jonesville Elementary, where I had very involved parents and my class received the attendance prizes every month that year. I became pregnant at the end of that year and was given a shower by the class parents.  Some of the parents even visited me at my home.

After my daughter and son were born, I taught at Kiddie Kindergarten in Boonville, NC with Lila Simpson Pardue.  I continued until kindergartens were assimilated into the local schools.

I am the mother of two children, whom I love dearly.  I am survived by daughter Gina Shore Armstrong (Louis Walker Armstrong, Jr.) and son, Eric Van Shore (Angie Epley Shore); four super grandchildren:  Rachel Cass (Patrick Kronner), Molly Cass (Vaughn Surratt), Emma Kate Shore and Carson Jacob Cass.  I am over the moon for my two great-granddaughters, Hadleigh Kay Surratt, and Elliott Sloan Kronner. They have all been wonderful to me during my decline. 

I was predeceased by my husband, Ray Walter Shore, a kind and gentle man and one sibling, Laura Shore Smith and my parents.  Others who predeceased me are Brothers-in-law, Vernon Shore, and George Morris; Sisters-in-law, Vickie Shore and Betty Shore Morris, and nephew Len Shore.

I have been a life-long member of Deep Creek Friends Meeting and attended as long as my health allowed.

My funeral is supposed to be short and sweet.  I did not want a funeral, but family intervened saying it wasn’t “for” me.  I don’t know what my son-in-law the preacher will say.  Don’t believe it if it is bad.  My son Van will be singing via tape.  He did not want to do this, but I said, “then there will not be any singing.” He is my favorite singer after all.

But wait, the best is yet to come.  At the gravesite there will be bagpipes playing Amazing Grace for my sendoff – my favorite song.  See some of you soon!

Love Carol

P.S. Have you ever seen a P.S. in an obituary?  I probably could have lived longer had I not gotten COPD.  But I would have suffered badly with arthritis and nerve damage from surgery.  I was so tired of the pain.  I will NOT be suing any tobacco company.

Thanks go to my devoted caregivers, Sherry Hunt who was like a sister to me, Rachel Cass, I loved our great conversations, Elaine Reece, my great chef and Kim Allison, my jack of all trades.  They have been patient, kind and loving to me, and I appreciate all they did for me.

Also, I want to thank my best bud, Carolyn Reece for being such a great and loving friend over the years.  Going shopping and eating out was so much fun.  Another loving soul, Hunter Welborn (great-niece) has been so sweet to me and I love her dearly.

Bye now…

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.