Carol Newsome Detwiler

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Carol Newsome Detwiler, who departed this life on May 13, 2025, at the age of 86. Carol was born on April 29, 1939, in Phenix City, Alabama. She was a remarkable Southern woman, known for her unwavering strength, love for family and friends, hard-work, determination, and radiant smile. Despite a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in her final years, she faced each day with grace, faith, and resilience.

Carol was born in Phenix City, where she spent her formative years before college. She deeply loved her parents and family, cherishing the memories created with her grandparents, aunts and uncles. She attended Central High School where she excelled as editor-in-chief of the annual. She was actively involved in the Glee Club, girl’s trio, Quill & Scroll, Beta Club, Class Treasurer and was named Class Favorite. She was also honored as Miss Phenix City before attending Auburn University.

Carol experienced salvation at the age of 12 during a revival event at First Baptist Church of Phenix City, and she was later baptized by Rev. Woodward. She remained an engaged member of First Baptist throughout her youth. Over the years, Carol actively participated in several churches located in Atlanta, GA, Davidson, NC, and most recently at Union Methodist in Irmo, SC. We are grateful that she is in Jesus’s presence and no longer in pain.

In 1964, she began her career with Avon Products as a representative. Her career with Avon spanned over 49 years. She was promoted to District Manager in Georgia and later served as a Division Manager in multiple areas of the country. Carol was an outstanding District Manager, earning multiple Circle of Excellence awards and finishing number one in the country in 1978. In 1980 she was promoted to Division Manager. She was a frequent World Sales Leader winning trips to New York, Hawaii, Portugal, Spain, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Ireland, Cancun, Singapore, and Bali. She retired twice from Avon, first as a Division Manager in 2007 and later as a contract Division Manager when she retired for the final time in December 2013. Her career brought her immense pride, recognition, and a love of travel.

Carol had a deep love for travel, and her adventurous spirit led her to explore various corners of the world. Her journeys often took her to places rich in natural beauty, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Australia, Saint Martin, and the USVI, along with numerous states and national parks. Among her travels, Saint John in the USVI held a special place in her heart, where she visited multiple times always accompanied by a house full of family and friends. She was passionate about snorkeling and delighted in discovering the wonders of the sea. But most importantly on her trips to St. John, she loved spoiling those that were with her through prepared meals or dining experiences.

Carol also had a profound love for cooking and entertaining. Her greatest joy came from preparing a large meal for family and friends. No crowd was ever too big for her culinary prowess, which often did not require recipes. Her love for cooking is evident by the skills and passion that all her sons demonstrate in the kitchen. In addition to cooking, Carol resumed painting after retiring, which brought her much joy and satisfaction.

At the heart of Carol’s life was her family. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and an avid dog & cat lover (she really adored her pets). She was a devoted mother who prioritized caring for her sons and grandchildren. She took immense pride in all their accomplishments, and the arrival of grandchildren and great grands brought her endless joy and happiness.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents Lehman and Erin Newsome, her baby brother Bobby, and her loving and devoted son Jeff (Bobo). She is survived by her sons Greg Detwiler (Kim) and Shawn Detwiler (Heather), her sister Dolores Webster (Collis), her brother David Newsome (Debbie) and grandchildren Jessie Detwiler (Matt Brooke), Brittany Norris (Thomas, Jr), Courtney Chánez (Leonardo), Zachary Detwiler (Victoria) and Brady Detwiler (Rebekka) and great-grandchildren Alaina Norris, Leonardo Chánez, Jr, Josephina Chánez, and Hrafney Brooke Detwiler, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends (including her lifelong friends June and Wesley Capps), all of whom will carry her spirit forward.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Wellmore of Lexington for their love and support, and to Heart of Hospice for the compassionate care provided during Carol’s final days.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at Golden Acres Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL on Saturday, June 14, 2025, @ 2:00 EDST. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 EDST. A graveside interment will take place immediately following the service for all that wish to attend.

Although Carol may no longer be with us in body, her spirit will continue to inspire and guide us. We find solace in knowing that she now rests peacefully, free of pain, surrounded by the love she so generously shared.

Rest in peace, Carol. May God bless you. You will be profoundly missed.