Carolyn (Billie) Montgomery Martin was born in 1934, raised in Miccosukee, Fla., and graduated from Leon County High School. She was a long-time resident of Monticello, Fla., and passed away on Sept. 26. Carolyn retired from the Florida Department of Child and Family Services in Monticello. Helping others (with anonymous gifts) was one of her passions as well as watching cows and deer from her windows. Carolyn enjoyed living on the family farm, completing Tallahassee Democrat crossword puzzles (in under 10 minutes), and thinking of farm work projects to keep herself occupied. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed creating poems for special occasions. Carolyn continued to maintain the pecan groves planted by her late husband, Tommy.
Carolyn felt her greatest accomplishment was that she raised smart and morally strong children. Cherishing her memory are her six children, Karen Gibson (Scott) of Key West, Amy McCormick (David) of Jacksonville, Alison Moody (Joe) of Jacksonville, Joey (Karen) of Gainesville, Jeffrey (Lisa) of Monticello, and Todd (Kelly) of Winter Garden; and lastly her eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her husband, Tommy; parents, E.W. and Margaret Montgomery; brother, Ed, and sisters, Bernice, Dorothy, and Betty; infant daughter, Melissa, and much-loved daughter-in-law, Moira Martin.
No funeral or memorial service is planned. Carolyn desired only to be remembered fondly. A private service will be held by the family. She would want those reading to at least try completing a crossword puzzle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to one of her two favorite charities, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Tallahassee, Fla., or Jefferson Outreach for Youth (J.O.Y.).