Carolyn Sue (Tarte) Morris

Carolyn Sue Tarte Morris, 86, of Kannapolis died Sunday, March 3, 2024, at her home after a period of declining health.

Her family will gather with friends to celebrate Carolyn’s life at Whitley’s Funeral Home, Kannapolis NC from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Carolyn was born January 21, 1938, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC, a daughter of the late Leonard Dove Tarte and Margaret Lowder Tarte. In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her older sister Louise Tarte Connell and her younger sister Beth Tarte Tucker.

In addition to her husband James “Ronald” Morris of the home, those left to cherish her memory include her son Scott Swaringen (Laurie Ashley), daughter Shayne Swaringen Fesperman (Lynn), stepdaughter Jamie Martin (Tom), her beloved grandchildren, Jesse Swaringen, Berkeley Swaringen, Zach Fesperman (Brandi), Alex Fesperman, Kaila Martin and Justin Martin, great-grandchildren Robin and Jamie Swaringen, and her youngest sister Cheryl Tarte Ownbey (Bobby).

Carolyn deeply loved her family, and over the years faithfully cared for loved ones until the end. She began each day with her Bible and The Upper Room daily devotional. Even when unable to find the days’ lesson, she held the books close flipping through the pages.

Carolyn was an athletic and active child. As an 8 year old, when donors arrived at the local church softball field to offer new equipment, Carolyn shook off the brand new glove she’d been given PRIOR to catching a pop fly headed her way because “that’s the way I’d always caught the ball”.

Carolyn grew into a beautiful woman inside and out. She continued to enjoy sports at her alma mater Harding High School in Charlotte where she played basketball, was voted most Athletic Female, Head Cheerleader and Gridiron Queen.  She was as much at home on the water as she was on the slopes skiing as often as possible. As a lover of sports along with her husband Ron being a car enthusiast, it was only natural for Carolyn to take up SCCA Autocross, driving her red 260Z she fondly named Ruby. On the more calm side she loved working in the yard, gardening and growing beautiful flowers.

Her love for the coast blossomed early in life as a child visiting North Myrtle Beach with her family annually which spilled over into adulthood where she would shag dance, enjoy the day on the sand, and surround herself with friends and family while enjoying God’s creation.

Carolyn loved our Southern heritage, traveling the south with her husband Ron visiting national treasures such as New Bern, Charleston, Natchez, New Orleans, Richmond, Sanibel Island, Captiva and more. And it was hard to keep her out of an antique shop.

As grandchildren came into the picture, she would move mountains to attend sporting events, concerts, Eagle Scout ceremonies, and she wouldn’t miss a birthday party. You would often find her in the backyard teaching her grandkids wiffle ball or how to throw a frisbee (and they all became athletes in turn).

Carolyn had a deep compassion for her fellow man, and for God’s creatures, often stopping to attend to their needs, even challenging owners of neglected pets. You didn’t want to cross this 5‘2” bundle of dynamite.

Someone this special creates a huge void in our world. Carolyn’s wish would be for us to live caring, loving lives as she did, devoted to God and family. She will be sorely missed but we will always carry in our hearts the smiles and warm, loving memories.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Trisha Dalzell for her help and dedication and to Hospice for all of the care and support they provided.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Judes which Carolyn supported and to the Parkinson's Foundation.

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