LINCOLNTON, N.C.—Carolyn Jane Burgess, age 92, of Lincolnton, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Carolyn was born in Lincolnton, September 4, 1934, to the late Ruth Lynn Burgess and Wilson “Buss” Burgess. She is survived by two cousins, Eddie Lynn and Bill Burgess, who were brothers of her heart. Bill’s wife, Jeanette, was personable and welcoming, and Eddie’s delightful wife, Jane, a good friend. A close cousin Emily Bryant, Joan Allen Rainey (deceased) of Orlando, Fla., and Jamye Exton, a devoted and close sister of her heart. Loving nephew and nieces Allen Rainey of Orlando, Fla. (Darcy), Chris Eurey of Lincolnton, Jennifer Rainey of Raleigh, and Yoli Sanchez of San Antonio, Texas (Jay), and Carolyn’s shared canine, Mikkie, all who gave Carolyn Happiness and completeness in her life.

Carolyn was a retired public school teacher who taught for a total of 30 years. She taught in Gastonia, NC, Orlando, Fla., Greensboro, NC, and Lincolnton, NC. While living in Greensboro she became a member of The Eastern Star. Moving to Lincolnton she continued teaching until her retirement. She believed that along with the prescribed curriculum that it was essential that her students were taught life-enhancing beliefs and principles. She felt that her former students were, to a degree, a part of her legacy, and their accomplishments were a source of great pride to her.

In her youth, Carolyn was a sports enthusiast. She was an avid tennis and Ping-Pong player. In 1950, she won first place in The NC State Ping Pong Tournament in High Point. In 1951, she placed first in the NC State Ping-Pong Tournament in Raleigh. She and her partner placed second in the Doubles Tournament in 1952 in Winston-Salem, and they repeated a second place win in the Doubles Tournament in Raleigh that same year. In 1950 she won the tennis championship in her age group in Lincolnton. That same year she won the challenge from the Gastonia tennis champion. She taught tennis for two summers for the Lincolnton Recreation Department.

She enjoyed being one of the artists of the high school paper, class poet, and having many close family members and friends with whom she spent many happy years as a teenager. Her college life was equally enjoyable. Mercy in Charlote, NC, St. Mary’s, Bayside, Long Island, NY, Sacred Heart Jr. College in Belmont, NC, and her time as a student and her graduation from Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory NC, was a great source of provide and found memories.

She enjoyed traveling and traveled North Carolina from the mountains to the cost. She visited many of our United States; also Europe, Canada, and Nassau. She spent leisure time with reading, playing bridge, trying oil painting, write poetry, and volunteering at Hesed House, supporting Amy’s House, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Her first love and obligation was to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She was actively involved in her church for many years, as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Director of Episcopal Youth, choir member, lector, and a member of St. Luke’s Vestry. She was asked by the Episcopal Church Women to compile a selection of her poetry for the ECW to sell in book form as a fund raiser. She agreed and many copies of “There’s One for You and One for Me” were sold.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. A reception will be held in the St. Luke’s Parish House following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Historic Preservation Fund.

Warlick Funeral Home of Lincolnton, N.C. is serving the Burgess family.