Carolyn Sue Whitmore was born on May 3, 1951, and raised in Hope, Arkansas. She was the oldest daughter born to the late Margaret E. Gamble and Alvin Garland. As the oldest, Carolyn naturally became the backbone of the family. Family members turned to her whenever they fell on hard times, needed a home-cooked meal, or simply needed a listening ear. She never turned anyone away; if someone needed a place to stay, her door was always open.
Carolyn accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Zion CME Church alongside her sisters and brothers. She remained an active member and was often found helping in the church kitchen. She was educated in the Hope Public School System and attended the iconic Yerger High School.
Throughout her life, Carolyn’s work career spanned many years. Her various jobs included Catching Chickens, Ole Café, Old County Country, El Salvador, Myers Bakery, and the cafeterias at Tyson Foods. She also worked at Heather Manor, both the North and South locations.
She was well known for her famous fried chicken, meatloaf, sweet potato pies, and peach cobbler. Carolyn was loved by everyone who crossed her path. She was a devoted mother and a “Mama” to many, as well as a loving sister, cousin, and friend. Carolyn gained her angel wings on December 13, 2025. She will be truly missed and will forever remain in our hearts.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her son, Gregory E. Randle; her parents, Alvin Garland and Margaret E. Gamble; her brothers, David Carrigan, Earnest Standokes, Alvin Garland, Terry Garland, and Frank Witherspoon; and her sisters, Wanda Faye Works and Bobby Witherspoon.
Carolyn leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Rodney (Cindy) Phillips and Dean Cage, Sr., both of Hope, AR; her daughters, Elnora (Timothy) Morgan, Tammy (Herbert Stuart) Whitmore, and Porsha Whitmore (whom she raised as her own), all of Hope, AR; her grandchildren, Rodney Phillips Jr., DaMontre Woods, LaDarius McElroy, Paradise Talley, Brittany Johnson, Porsha Randle, N’kyia Randle, and Destiny Stuart; 17 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Joyce (Charlie) Ogden of Hope, AR; Brenda (Grady) Randle of Hope, AR; Shirley Moss of Hope, AR; Doris (Willie) Black of Denver, CO; Annette (Kenneth) Smith of Hope, AR; Lisa (Juan) Aparicio; and Ala Mae (Cecil) Flenory of Hope, AR;; her brothers, Eugene Carrigan, James Carrigan, Robert Carrigan, William Garland, all of Hope, AR, and Don Garland of Oakland, CA; her sister-in-law, Ethel Garland; her daughter-in-law, Deondra Randle; a very special friend, George Porter; a very special cousin, Betty Jones; special friends, Willie Sharp and Earnestine Perkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, close relatives, and friends.
Public Visitation - Friday, December 26, 2025 @ 1-3pm M&H Memorial Chapel | 411 S. Walnut St | Hope, AR 71801
Celebration of Life - Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 11am Mt. Zion CME Church | 819 Hickory St |Hope, AR 71801
Interment- Cave Hill #2 Cemetery, Hope, AR
