Carol Hensley Hastey, 68, of Amelia Island, Florida, and formerly of Atlanta, GA and Denver, CO, peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
The eldest of twin sisters born in Atlanta in October 1949 to Marble John Hensley, Sr. and Ruth Collins Hensley, Carol grew up in Chattanooga, TN. After attending Girls Preparatory School and graduating from Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, Carol went to Auburn University to pursue her passion for design, earning a degree in Interior Design from the School of Architecture. There at Auburn University she met the man who would become her husband of 46 years, Joe. After they were married in September 1971, Carol and Joe lived and worked in a few different cities in the South before they initially settled on Signal Mountain, TN. They would go on to raise their three sons in Atlanta (1984-1996) and then Denver, where they lived until 2014. Their loving partnership lasted the rest of her lifetime.
Throughout all the places life led her, Carol made lasting, lifelong friendships. She was a true friend, endlessly giving of her energies when others needed help – always reliable to share her gentle heart or be a source of comfort when times were difficult. Carol had a creative mind and great eye for home design, often lending her unique talents to friends and family – forever leaving her touch on the places that families cherish most.
And although a truly talented interior designer, once she started her own family, Carol devoted herself to being a mother. She was selfless in her love for her children, always possessing the greatest of patience and a playful sense of humor. She adored her grandchildren and was eager to dote on a new baby boy this summer. She lived her life knowing that ‘we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’ – Carol’s life was rich and complete.
She simply had the sweetest disposition. As a friend, she was lighthearted and genuine; as a mother, she was patient, selfless and loving; as a wife, she was faithful and caring; and as a grandmother, she was simply our sweet “CeCe.” To all of us, she is deeply missed.
Carol is survived by her husband, Joe Hastey; son, Todd Hastey of Knoxville, TN; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Janet Hastey of Alpharetta, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Allison Hastey of Denver, CO; brother, Marble John (Michelle) Hensley, Jr. of Smyrna, GA; sister, Kathlyn Hensley (Terrance) MacFarlane of Marietta, GA; and grandchildren, Sarah Kate, Will, Ellie and Ben Hastey. A Memorial for Carol will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 30th, at First Presbyterian Church located at 9 North Sixth St., Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034. Immediately following this worship service, family and friends are also invited to attend a reception in Jim Thomas Hall at First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, all who wish to remember Carol are invited to make gifts to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to the children’s ministry of First Presbyterian Church.