Carol Barnett Robertson passed from this life on February 1, 2024, at the age of 95. Throughout her life, she had a gift for friendship. Carol lived with courage, confident optimism, and a vigorous determination to help others.
Carol was born on Dec. 17, 1928, in Batesville Arkansas. In 1947, after her freshman year of college, she quit school to get married. Ten years later, despite the demands of motherhood, she resumed her college studies. Carrying a full load of classwork, she often was up early and studying before preparing breakfast for her family. In 1959, Carol graduated magna cum laude from Arkansas College with a bachelor’s degree in English.
In 1960, her husband Bill was offered an opportunity, requiring a move to Jackson, Mississippi as a regional sales representative for the nation’s oldest men’s clothing firm. Arriving in an unfamiliar city without friends or family nearby, Carol quickly became active at Meadowbrook Church of Christ, and in charities like the Mississippi Children’s Home Society. Carol eventually served as president of the Children’s Home Auxiliary.
Carol knew how to promptly get things organized: whether a family reunion, a bridge party, or a lively game of Scrabble. For many years, Carol and her husband hosted an annual four-day family Thanksgiving gathering for two dozen adults and children or more, with music, laughter, wonderful food, and family warmth-at ”Brandleside,” their Louisiana-style home in Madison, Mississippi.
Carol was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served as a regent for the Fort Rosalie D.A.R. Chapter in Mississippi. She was also a member of The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia. Carol was fond of Greek Revival houses, her favorite being the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, where she served for 33 years as a docent.
Carol loved to read, and she excelled at reading aloud. Through the Radio Reading Service of Mississippi, she volunteered as a radio reader for the blind. Before suffering a debilitating stroke in 2007, Carol had an extraordinary recall of fine details.
In 2021, Carol began hospice care at her daughter’s home in Aberdeen Mississippi. The family extends their gratefulness to Carolyn Ingram and the other hospice caregivers in Aberdeen.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband William J. ”Bill” Robertson, her son Robin B. Robertson of Madison, Mississippi, and four grandsons: Wyche Harrington, Taylor Harrington, and Whit Harrington, of Aberdeen, Mississippi and Alex Robertson of Asheville, North Carolina-as well as one brother, James F. Barnett of Batesville. Carol is survived by her brothers I. N. Barnett IV (wife Sandra) of Batesville, and Charles R. Barnett (wife Betty) of Batesville; three children, William J. Robertson Jr. of Nashville, Tennessee; Catharine Robertson Harrington (husband Frank) of Aberdeen; Randall B. Robertson (wife Patricia) of Winter Park, Florida; daughter-in-law Beverly Perkins Robertson of Madison; and seven grandchildren, Ainsley Harrington Blue (husband Trey) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Seth Robertson (wife Victoria) of Nashville; Hannah Robertson Miller (husband Wade) of Winter Park; Ian Robertson (wife Kimberley) of Smyrna, TN; Graham Robertson (wife Mercedes) of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Anna Robertson of Pensacola, Florida; as well as 12 great-grandchildren.
Carol was a loving and supportive mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The world is unquestionably a better place for Carol having been a part of it.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday the 9th of February at First United Methodist Church in Batesville. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. Instead of flowers, donations may be made in Carol’s name to the Independence County Library, Memorials, 267 E. Main, Batesville, AR 72501.
