Carolyn Richardson Whitman

Carolyn Richardson Whitman, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 66 on November 23 surrounded by family.
A native of Rayville, LA, she graduated from Rayville High School in 1968. She attended LSU and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She received a degree in Elementary Education from Northeast Louisiana University. Carolyn’s impeccable style and warm personality led her to a career in retail sales, including running the family business, Glover Hardware.
As a devout Episcopalian, Carolyn was a longtime member of St. David’s Episcopal Church where she loved her church family and actively served in multiple leadership roles. For over 30 years, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and she regularly supported the community she so adored in many ways, including belonging to the local civic organization, Sedente Animo.
Affectionately known as “Callie” to her grandchildren and many dear friends, she will surely leave a lasting impact on all who were blessed to know her. A true Southern lady, she had the ability to light up any room with her sweet smile and genuine, giving spirit.
Carolyn maintained a beautiful garden and was a member of the Palmetto Garden Club and the Crossroads Garden Club of Monroe. Generous with her time and talents, she crafted striking floral arrangements for many events over the years. Carolyn was known for her cooking and entertaining, and she enjoyed hosting elegant gatherings at the family home on Clear Lake.
She is survived by her husband James L. “Jimmy” Whitman, and children Hollis Venable and wife Lana of Baton Rouge, LA; Carl Venable and wife Ashley of Madison, MS; and Trey Whitman and wife Sarah of Tallulah, LA. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Brice of Houston, TX, and her eight grandchildren who were the light of her life: Isabelle, Evan, Caroline, Elise, Garrett and Carly Venable, and Kate and Lane Whitman. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lasley and Catherine Earle Richardson.
Services were held on Monday, November 27 at 10 a.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church, with the burial to follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Rayville.
Those wishing to honor Carolyn’s memory may make a donation to St. David’s Episcopal Church. The family would like to express its sincere thanks to everyone who enriched Carolyn’s life. She brought love, light and joy to so many and she will be dearly missed.