Carolyn V. Farmer

Carolyn VonCannon Farmer, wife of Gordon Jackson Farmer, passed away peacefully following a brief illness with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Carolyn was born December 23, 1929 in High Point, NC, the eldest daughter of the late J. B. VonCannon and Ella Stroud VonCannon. She was also predeceased by her only brother, William \"Bill\" Von Cannon.

Family and education would form the concrete foundations of Carolyn\"™s life. She maintained a profound passion for both until the very end. To her, education was a journey without a final destination. She never lost her personal yearning to learn and spent her entire life encouraging her children, grandchildren and students to constantly strive to improve themselves by learning more and more. A proud honors graduate of Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, NC (now Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC), she was a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon \"" the Honorary National Mathematics Fraternity. She maintained a lifetime of loyalty to her beloved alma mater and often donned black and gold colors in support of her Demon Deacons.

Although both Carolyn and Gordon were natives of North Carolina, they actually met on a blind date in of all places \""New York City- where Gordon was stationed in the United States Coast Guard. The young couple fell madly in love \""an unbridled love that would span seven decades. They absolutely adored one another. They returned to North Carolina where they married in 1953. Carolyn quickly landed a job with defense contractor, Western Electric, in Burlington, NC. A highly skilled and accomplished mathematician, she actually worked as an engineer, but as she often said \"not for engineer\"™s pay\". That didn\"™t last long because Gordon and Carolyn were eager to start a family and boy, did they ever \"" four children in five years! Her career as a mother became the centerpiece of her life. Like everything she did, she excelled at motherhood and was a fabulous cook who took great pride in preparing scrumptious meals and feasts for her family and their many friends. Once you enjoyed a piece of her famously delicious homemade apple pie, you would never forget and eagerly look forward to your next piece.        

The Farmer family relocated to Virginia, eventually settling near Lynchburg in 1964. Once all the kids were enrolled in school, Carolyn returned to work – this time as a teacher. She taught mathematics at both Campbell County and Lynchburg City Schools for a combined twenty five years. Mrs. Farmer was widely respected by most of her students as a stern but fair teacher. One of her prized students, Leland Melvin, went on to become a space shuttle astronaut. She always liked to think his \"stardom\" was due in part to the exemplary geometry education he received from her. Carolyn retired from Heritage High School in 1993. She and Gordon enjoyed a wonderful life together traveling to many fabulous places, and of course, took special pleasure and joy in spending time with their many grandchildren. In her later years she was slowed considerably from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, however, she never wavered in her love and support for her family. The compassionate and tender care she received from her husband, Gordon, was a genuine testament to the deep love and affection they shared together.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sister, Ann Rhodes of Kernersville, NC, her four children; Debra Wood (Sam) of Jamestown, TN, Derenda Lovelace (Perry) of Chesterfield , VA, David Farmer (Elgie) of Lynchburg, VA and Dean Farmer (Kelly) of Rustburg, VA; nine grandchildren, Ashley Farmer, Whitney Farmer, Josh Wood (Erin), Daniel Wood, Adam Wood (Amanda), Philip Wood, Sean Lovelace, Shane Nick Lovelace and his fiancé, Stacey, and C. T. Harvey; and six great grandchildren, Brianna Farmer, Jackson Wood, Greyson Wood, Charlotte Wood, Haddon Wood and Ana Claar. She also leaves to her memory many devoted friends, former colleagues and her Keystone Baptist Church family.

A funeral service will be conducted at Tharp Funeral Home on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Monty Fox officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The family suggests those wishing to make memorial gifts to please consider the Campbell County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 4123, Lynchburg, VA 24502, Keystone Baptist Church, 212 Fleetwood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501, or the charity/organization of your choosing.

Carolyn was a brilliant mathematician, dedicated educator, loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all whom she touched, taught and inspired and who loved her so dearly. Her memory and legacy will be fondly cherished forever.