Carolyn Hitt Culpepper

Carolyn Hitt Culpepper

July 29, 1939 - July 29, 2026

Funeral services for Mrs. Carolyn Hitt Culpepper will be held Sunday, August 2, at 2:30 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with Bro. Kim Culpepper officiating. A private burial will follow at Hamrick Cemetery in Collinsville. Visitation will be at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home on Sunday, August 2, from 1:30-2:15 p.m. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Mrs. Culpepper, 87, a lifelong resident of the Collinsville community, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at BeeHive Homes of Marion.

Known affectionately as "Mamaw" to those who loved her most, Carolyn lived a life rooted in unwavering faith, unconditional love, and service to others. A devoted Christian and longtime member of Pine Grove Church, she loved the Lord with all her heart, and her faith was evident in how she cared for her family, welcomed others into her home, and faithfully served those around her.

It is a comfort to those who loved her to know that on her eighty-seventh birthday, Carolyn exchanged an earthly birthday celebration for the joy of an eternal homecoming with the Lord she loved so dearly.

Nothing brought Carolyn greater joy than being surrounded by her family. Carolyn shared sixty-one years of marriage with the love of her life, Arnold B. Culpepper. Together, they established the cherished tradition of opening their home in Collinsville nearly every month, where children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends gathered. Those gatherings became treasured memories that strengthened the bonds of their family across generations. They built a home founded on faith, hard work, and unconditional love, creating a legacy that continues through four generations. Though Arnold preceded her in death in 2019, their example of Christian marriage and steadfast devotion remains an enduring blessing to those who knew them.

Whether baking her famous tea cakes and fried apple pies, tending her vegetable garden, preparing a home-cooked meal for her beloved Australian Shepherd, Shortstop, or cooking another family meal, Carolyn had a remarkable gift for making everyone who entered her home feel welcome, loved, and well-fed. While her primary calling was as a homemaker, she also faithfully served her community as a school bus driver, safely transporting children with the same care she showed her own family.

She is survived by her children, Chad Culpepper (Candi) and Paula Culpepper Rhodes (Rodney) of Collinsville, and Gina Culpepper White (Eddie) of Bay Springs; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arnold B. Culpepper; her parents, Elmer "Ray" Hitt and Margaret "Sally" Smith Hitt; her brother, Roderick Hitt; and her daughter-in-law, Ellie Culpepper.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers and staff of BeeHive Homes of Marion for the exceptional love, kindness, and dignity they showed Carolyn. Their care and friendship were a tremendous blessing to both Carolyn and her family.

Carolyn will be remembered for the warmth of her kitchen, the strength of her faith, the love she poured into her family, and the countless lives she touched through simple acts of kindness. While her family mourns her passing, they rejoice in the assurance that she is now home with her Lord.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Andrew Culpepper, Chris Roberts, Joshua White, Daniel Roberts, Kyle Rhodes, and Gareth Driskill. The staff at BeeHive Home of Marion will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials and gifts be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.