Carolyn Connelly Kibler, 79, of Chapin, died December 9, 2022.

Born March 13, 1943, in Newberry County, she was the daughter of James Ira and Mertie Irene Connelly.

She was a graduate of Mid-Carolina High School as well as a Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina. She had a 38 year career with AT&T and was among the first female telecommunication technicians in the United States. More importantly though, Carolyn was a lifelong Christian, and was currently attending Mt Olive Lutheran Church. Previously, she had attended St Andrews Lutheran Church and Mt Horeb Lutheran Church, where she shared her love of education by serving in many capacities of Christian Education at both churches and she touched many young lives with her love of Jesus. At Mt. Horeb, she was a member of the Friendship Circle, served on church council, and worked in many other capacities where needed.

Carolyn had a servant's heart and was always looking for ways to serve and help others. She was intentional in all of her care for others and never hesitated to show her love for you, especially through her thoughtful notes, cards, warm smiles, and hugs.

Carolyn's character and strength came from her tremendous faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is no doubt that she embodied faith and grace to everyone she knew and to those who did not know her. Beyond her faith, her next greatest joy was her family, and she was intentional about ensuring that all felt love and joy when gathering, whether this be for holidays, birthdays, cookouts, or just impromptu events. Carolyn was her family's greatest supporter and she loved all of her family so very much.

She also had a love for nature and for growing beautiful flowers, especially her pride and joy, Dahlias. Carolyn was also a talented painter and took great pride in ensuring that each family member received paintings from her from photos provided to her that had been taken in special places that were meaningful to the respective family member. Her love of the arts led her to serve as an Ambassador for the Newberry Opera House for nearly 15 years.

Carolyn's other joys included history and genealogy as she was passionate about learning all that she could about her family lineage and helping others learn about their lineage. She was a member of the Dutch Fork Genealogy Society, where she served as the Treasurer, Membership Chair, and Digest Editor. In these roles, she discovered pictures, letters, and stories from many generations, and they filled her home and the library that she worked in weekly for the Dutch Fork Genealogy Society.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, James William; children, David Kibler (Tina) and Kevin Kibler (Mandy) of Chapin, SC, grandchildren, August Kibler, Jacob Kibler, Emily Kibler Ranta (Josh), Andrew Kibler, Abigail Kibler and Tyler Kibler; siblings, Roger Connelly of Chapin, SC, Edith Hite (Carlton), Alvin Connelly, Mitchell Connelly (Harriett), Phil Connelly (Wanda), and Tim Connelly (Betty Jean) of Prosperity, SC; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Walt Harper at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Mt Olive Lutheran Church, Irmo, SC. Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at Newberry Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 16, 2022 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at Whitaker Chapel in Newberry, SC and in the fellowship hall at the church prior to the service, beginning at 9:00 AM.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the Prisma Richland Emergency Room and Neuro ICU Team, Prisma Richland Hospice and Palliative Care and a special thanks to her nurse Kassidy for their exceptional and compassionate care for Carolyn.

Memorials are suggested to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1541 Lake Murray Boulevard, Irmo SC 29212, or Dutch Fork Genealogy Society, PO Box 481, Chapin, SC 29036.

Memories and messages may be shared with the family on Carolyn's tribute page at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.