Carolyn Murphey Freeman

Carolyn Murphey Freeman went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on December 1, 2024. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN with Bro. Larry Sweeney officiating. Burial will follow at Brownsville Memorial Gardens. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home. 

Carolyn was born on October 5, 1930 in Nashville, Tennessee to Belle and Edwin Elam Murphey. She spent her youth growing up in Memphis and her family moved to Brownsville, Tennessee when Carolyn was 16 so that her father Ed could manage the Coca-Cola Plant there. She chose to stay behind in Memphis living with her Aunt so that she could finish her studies at Treadwell High School. She spent every weekend riding the bus to Brownville and always joked that she loved being the new girl in town for two solid years. 

In 1963 Carolyn along with her mother Belle decided to launch a new career and purchased The Brownsville Flower Shop. Although Carolyn had no formal training in floral arranging she was a quick study, and with her charm and personality managed to gather around the best in the business to learn her craft. She directed many Brownsville weddings and was affectionally known as “Sarge” by her staff and possibly a few brides. Throughout the years she served on many committees and was elected FTD Chairperson for West Tennessee in 1977. What she considered her greatest achievement in her floral career was being the lead coordinator and arranger for the thousands of flower sprays delivered at Elvis’s graveside to be placed around his mausoleum. For that she was very proud. 

Carolyn loved Brownsville and being involved in community affairs. She served as Chairperson for the Haywood County Bicentennial Celebration in 1996 and was a board member of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center which she promoted and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. She was never shy about speaking up when she thought things could be made better. She was also a member of the 6th Review Club, The Historical Society, and her beloved Pitch Club which was comprised of 10 couples who met monthly for almost 60 years. The Pitch Club raised their children together and enjoyed campouts, food, much laughter and the love of friendships that most would envy. She was a member of Westside Church of Christ for many years and her faith and love of Christ was the most important part of her life. 

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Belle Murphey, and brother, Ed Murphey, as well as sister-in-law, Norma Lee Smith, her husband Shorty, and nephew Franklin Smith. 

She is survived by her daughters Linda Freeman and Carol Freeman LaGrange, son-in-law Paul LaGrange, step-grandchildren Christopher, John Thomas, Lauren, and Grace LaGrange, nieces Lisa Murphey Blakely (Al), Laurie Murphey Shannon (Jack), Lynn Smith Prussia (Steve), Margaret Smith, and nephews Ed Murphey Jr. (Christy), and Steve Smith (Cindy), as well as many great- and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Carolyn will always be remembered for her larger than life personality, love of people and all that life had to offer. Her beautiful soul will be missed.

The family has requested memorials be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.