Carol Louise McCullen Bethune passed away at her home on September 29, 2026. Carol was born in Clinton, North Carolina, on January 21, 1941, to the late Charlie McCullen Sr. and Lillie Straughn McCullen. She was the youngest of six children, and her mother often affectionately referred to her as the “caboose” of the family. She remained deeply grateful for the love and closeness of her family throughout her life.

During her senior year of high school, Carol was chosen as Miss Clinton High School. After graduating from Clinton High School, Carol attended East Carolina University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. During her college years, she was a member of the ECU Student Union and served as secretary and social chairman. She was also voted Miss Cotton Hall for the Homecoming Events.

Carol began her teaching career in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system, where she taught for two years before moving to Fayetteville. She continued her career in education at Montclair Elementary School, where she devoted 30 years to teaching before retiring. Her dedication to children and education was an important part of her life’s work.

Faith and service were also central to Carol’s life. She was a longtime member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, worked in the nursery and Children’s Church, and served as a coordinator and chaperone for youth trips. She was also a member of the Fayetteville Woman’s Club, where she participated in and hosted club events, including the Christmas Open House.

Carol had a deep appreciation for beauty, nature, flowers, and design. She took great pride in decorating her home, creating floral arrangements and making wreaths for her front door. She especially enjoyed hosting dinners and gatherings for those she loved.

Her happiest place was her family’s country home in Clinton, where she was born and raised. Many cherished summer days were spent there with her parents, and later with her husband and daughter. Carol loved returning to the country, spending time with family and friends, celebrating holidays and special occasions, and enjoying long hours on the front porch swing and in the yard.

Carol was also an enthusiastic photographer. Photography was a hobby she pursued with great passion. She took hundreds of photographs of family and friends and spent countless hours organizing, dating, and preserving her pictures in photo albums. She especially enjoyed documenting her daughter’s life and capturing the many moments of her childhood and growing years. Carol rarely went anywhere without her camera.

Carol considered herself blessed to have met and married her husband, W. E. Bethune, a man of great integrity whom she regarded as her soulmate; they shared 37 years of marriage. Together, they enjoyed watching their daughter grow, supporting her activities, and sharing in the many experiences of family life. Carol treasured her relationship with her daughter and took particular joy in her two granddaughters, Savannah and Scarlett, and the time they spent together. She named them Angel I and Angel II.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie McCullen Sr. and Lillie Straughn McCullen, and her siblings. Her brothers, Charlie McCullen Junior (Eleanor), Manley McCullen (Margaret); sisters, Margaret McCullen Butler (Ed); Mildred McCullen Daughtry (Clifton); Gladys McCullen Bass (Shelton); Nephews, Tommy Butler, Ronnie McCullen and Brent Daughtry; brother-in-law Tim Bethune

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her daughter, Summer Bethune Berry, and her husband, Scott Berry; her beloved granddaughters, Savannah and Scarlett; nephew Terry Bass (Marsha), niece Charlene Bass, sister-in-law Donna Bethune and numerous great-nephews, great-nieces, and dear friends.

Carol’s life was defined by her love of family, her devotion to children and education, her faith, her generosity, and her ability to make a home a welcoming place for everyone around her. She will be remembered for her warm spirit, her creativity, her love of photography and flowers, and, most of all, the love she gave so freely to her family and friends.

A special thank you to her caregivers for their love and support; Merilyn Whitted, Anna Warner, Juliette Graham, Holly Owens, and Amanda Reed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Snyder Memorial Baptist Church 701 Westmont Drive Fayetteville, NC 28305

Brown Baptist Church 2009 Browns Church Road Clinton, NC 28328

A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2 pm in the chapel at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral from 1 to 2 pm in the church gathering hall. A graveside service will be held at 4 pm at Grandview Memorial Park in Clinton, NC.

Online condolences may be left at www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301