Carolyn McDougal's Obituary
Carolyn Barner McDougal was born in Kenton, Tennessee on November 14, 1929, and passed away in Germantown, Tennessee on November 3, 2022, with her family at her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ella McNeely Barner and Carl Atkins Barner, and her adoring husband of 36 years, Lloyd C. McDougal, Jr. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Margaret Barner Burrows and Catherine Barner Strub, her children, Barry Alan Mathis (Perri), Ken Louis Mathis (Ginger), Carla Mathis Nichols (Stan), Lloyd C. McDougal, III (Nancy), and several special nieces and a nephew. Lovingly known as “Meemaw,” she is also survived by her grandchildren, Courtney Mathis Bierbrodt (Wilson), Alan Perry Mathis, Lauren Mathis Blythe (Tim), Paige Alexander Mathis, Clayton Alan Martin, Melissa Martin Wallace (Hunter), and Jennifer Catherine McDougal. Her legacy of joyful, cherished children also include her great-grandchildren, Mary Wilson Bierbrodt, McKinley Mathis Bierbrodt, Kenneth Hart Blythe, and Katherine Quinn Blythe.
Carolyn graduated from Treadwell High School in 1947. She received her undergraduate degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1951 and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1968, both from her beloved Memphis State University. She loved her Memphis Tigers and was always their biggest supporter. She cherished the honor of being the oldest living Memphis State cheerleader.
Following graduation, she began her career in education with the Memphis City School System. During her 33-year career, she taught health and physical education and retired as a Health and Physical Education Consultant. During this time, she served as President of the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (receiving its Honor Award), Vice President of the West Tennessee Education Association, Director for the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Clinic, Site Director for the U.S. Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Public Education Committee for the Memphis Chapter of the American Heart Association. After her distinguished career in education, she was awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Memphis College of Education, Health and Human Sciences in 1998.
For decades, Carolyn helped organize the Memphis State Old Tigers, a group of former college athletes during 1947 to the 1950’s, to reminisce about their glory days. In her 90’s, she enjoyed being a guest on the Real Sports Talk Radio AM560 show to promote Town Village and, of course…her beloved Memphis Tigers. A devoted member of the M Club Board of Directors, she served the letterman’s organization for 10 years. In February 2020, she was awarded the Ralph Hatley Silver M Award by the University of Memphis M Club for her continued support of the university.
During retirement, she and Coach Mac enjoyed traveling and escorting many senior friends on trips around the US and Canada, including occasional cruises.
She was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church where she served on the Church Council, Finance Committee and Chairperson of Adult and Family Ministries.
To know her was to love her, and she was loved by so many. The family will deeply miss their Mother, Sister, Aunt Carolyn, and sweet Meemaw.
I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any of the following, The University of Memphis Tiger Scholarship Fund, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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