Carolyn Bowen Reed went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2026. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 8, 1936, to the late Clinton "Doc" and Pearl Bowen. As a young child, she moved with her family to Augusta, Georgia, where she gathered many cherished memories that stayed with her throughout her life.

From an early age, Carolyn embraced the joys of dancing, traveling, and spending time outdoors. She began her career with the phone company, dedicating many years to service before discovering her true calling in education. A devoted mother to her two sons, Glenn Kinard and Gary Kinard, Carolyn moved with her family to Carrollton, Georgia, in 1971. There, she pursued her passion for learning, earning both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from West Georgia College.

Carolyn began her teaching career at Toddler's Corner Kindergarten near the old College Street School and later taught at Sand Hill Elementary School, where she spent the remainder of her career shaping young minds. She retired from Sand Hill Elementary after many years of faithful service.

In 1976, Carolyn became a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she participated in Sunday school and sang in both the Tabernacle Choir and the Senior Adult Choir. After retiring, she poured her time and talents into her community, contributing to the community theater, the Carroll County Soup Kitchen, and the Tanner Auxiliary. She also delighted in traveling the world with her husband and the love of her life, Don Reed, exploring Alaska, Switzerland, the Caribbean, and many destinations across the United States.

Carolyn is survived by her beloved husband of 32 years, Don Reed; her sons and their spouses, Glenn (Stacey) Kinard and Gary (Heather) Kinard; her step-children, Matt Reed, Jason Reed, and Melanie (Brett) Neal; her grandchildren, Kristen (Kyle) Carman, Jenna Kinard, Alex Kinard, Sydney Kinard, Ephraim Neal, Sebastian Neal, and Andrew Neal; her brother, Gene Bowen and; and her cherished great-grandson, Bowen James Carman, lovingly named in her honor.

The family will receive friends at Almon Funeral Home on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Tabernacle Baptist Church, with inurnment to follow at Carroll Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carroll County Soup Kitchen, the Tabernacle Baptist Church Music Ministry, or the Kinard Family Scholarship at the University of West Georgia.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.