Edith Carolyn Norman Tawzer, 80, of Tifton, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2020, at Tift Regional Medical Center. A private family funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 20, 2020, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Josh Campbell officiating. A graveside funeral service for family and friends will be held for Mrs. Tawzer at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 20, 2020, at Wayside Baptist Church Cemetery in Tifton. The family will receive friends Saturday, September 19, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with COVID protocol observed.
Grandsons, Steven Williford, Dustin Holder and Kevin Williford will serve as pallbearers, along with nephews, Don Tawzer Jr., Joe Tawzer and Ricky Tawzer.
Born September 25, 1939 in Sparks, Mrs. Tawzer was the daughter of the late Howard H. Norman and Edith Hobbs Norman. She was also preceded in death by one sister and her husband, Joyce (Ronnie) Hall and a brother-in-law, William Anderson. She was a homemaker and a member of Wayside Baptist Church. She was also a participant in Tifton’s Relay for Life.
Carolyn loved to fish and spent a lot of time at their pond house. Her family joked that she tore up more tackle than she ever caught fish. Working in her flowers and sharing them with friends and family brought her great joy. Baking was another one of her passions and her specialty was her much sought-after coconut cake. The recipe took her years to perfect. It was a closely guarded secret, but she loved us enough to finally share it with one person but only with the promise of secrecy. Cooking dinner for her entire family was a weekly treat and one that she made look effortless. For 23 years, she was a church pianist at Wayside, and in earlier years served there as nursery teacher. Her church family was very special to her, and her love for her family was immeasurable. Her greatest gift was leaving her family well loved.
Mrs. Tawzer is survived by her husband, Coy Tawzer of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Carl (Melissa) Tawzer of Tifton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jan (Ricky) Williford and Rhonda (Greg) Hill, all of Tifton; two brothers, Darrell Norman and Jimmie (Linda Gail) Norman, all of Tifton; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Gyneth (T. G.) Cox of Montgomery, Alabama and Marilyn Anderson of Tifton; and six grandchildren and their spouses, Steven (Sherry) Williford, Kevin Williford, Dustin Holder, Bryant (Liz) Hill, Brandi (Bill) Kaufman and Carlie (Dustin) Middleton.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Wayside Baptist Church, 520 Georgia Highway 125 South, Tifton, GA 31794.