Carolyn Lottes

Carolyn Norris Lottes, 81, of Chattanooga, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2019.  Carolyn was born to William and Sarah Norris as the youngest of three children. She was born at home in Hamlet, North Carolina and was a proud Tar Heel. Her father was working for the railroad during his wife's pregnancy and he was scheduled to be away from home when the baby was due. Sarah told her husband "When you get back, you'll have a baby girl", And Mom was right.

Not much is known of Carolyn's father's family, but her mother’s family roots trace back in North Carolina at least to the 1 720's, fifty years before the American Revolution,

Carolyn remembers her dad would bring her pretty dresses from his travels, She especially recalled a Mickey Mouse dress and a a dress with flowers embroidered on the shoulder straps, Sadly, her father died when she was just 12 years Old

Carolyn had a love of travel which began when she was a teenager. She would go to the shore to stay with an Aunt and Uncle. She said that when she would be invited, her reply would be "Just give me time to pack!" She continued the joy of traveling throughout her life, often traveling on bus trips with her dear friend, Carol.

Carolyn graduated from a small college in North Carolina with a degree in Religious Education. After graduation she moved to Atlanta. It was while living in Atlanta that Carolyn met her life-long friend, Carol. Both were looking for a roommate and after meeting one another agreed to "try it out for a year" as roommates. They have continued to be best of friends throughout their lives.

Carolyn and Jim met and courted in Atlanta. Jim had been transferred to Chattanooga before they were married, They were married in the chapel at Emory University and honeymooned in Savannah, then settled into an apartment in Chattanooga,

Jim and Carolyn bought their home on Missionary Ridge and settled into the new neighborhood Carolyn would proudly point out to visitors that "You can see North Carolina over there" Carolyn would often walk through the neighborhood, stopping to chat with the neighbors and play with the neighborhood dogs.

Jim and Carolyn nearly always had a dog. Once when they were choosing a dog, Carolyn was drawn to a beagle named Otis, Jim was not as impressed as Carolyn, As Carolyn herself told the story, she stuck out her lower lip in a pout and said "I want him". Jim gave into his wife's cajoling and Otis went home with them. Otis was renamed Norris and became Carolyn's favorite dog.

In Chattanooga, Carolyn worked as a "Kelly Girl". She enjoyed working in downtown where there were many pastimes 'available during the lunch hour, She continued working for several years after Jim retired, She had been told when she was young that she would know when it was time to retire when her job was no longer fun, And that is exactly what happened: When the job was no longer enjoyable, she retired.

She was an avid reader and made use of the "Little Library" in the neighborhood.

Carolyn and Jim had been married for 44 years when Jim passed away in 2017.

Carolyn is proceed in death by her brothers Joe and William Norris.  Family members in East Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina will never forget Carolyn’s wonderful sense of humor and infectious laugh.

A graveside service celebrating the life of Carolyn Lottes will take place 12:30 PM at Mary Love Cemetery in Hamlet, NC. 

The family will receive friends at Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet, NC from 10AM - Noon, on Friday, August 16.  Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.

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