Carolyn M. Vanderbur was born June 30, 1928 in LaFayette, Georgia to Reverend Julius R. McCurdy and Carrie H. McCurdy. She was the seventh of eight children. Carolyn was an elementary school teacher and began her career in 1957 with a two years associates degree in Decatur, Georgia. In 1960 it was mandated that to continue, she must complete her four year degree. For the next four years she taught school, went back to college at night and summers, raised her children and earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1964. She continued her career until 1970 when her first husband, Jimmy Dunaway, a renowned radio broadcaster, passed away on December 22, 1970. Carolyn and daughter Julie moved to LaFayette where she continued to teach. Carolyn then met Charles Vanderbur at church. They were married October 31, 1972. Carolyn retired from teaching in 1987 after a thirty year career. In 1990, Carolyn and Charles moved to Lady Lake, Florida where they enjoyed 25 years of enjoyable retirement. Charles preceded Carolyn in death, passing away on May 1, 2014 in Indiana. Carolyn was an extraordinary educator, friend, mother and wife. She had a great sense of humor, and always wanting to help everyone. Carolyn passed away November 22, 2015 from a debilitating stroke. She is preceded in death by sisters, Catherine, Elizabeth and Martha and brothers, Robert and Ralph. Carolyn is survived by her sister Annelle Ledbetter, brother William McCurdy and sister –in-law Nelda, her son David Dunaway and his wife Jane, daughter Julie Westveer and her husband Andrew; step- daughters Cindy Vanderbur, Cita Goeppner and her husband Chris, Step- son Curt Vanderbur and his wife Cindie; grandchildren Jonathan Gibson, Eve Henry and Marc Pennington, Jacqeline Goeppner and her husband Andrew Barr, Andrew Goeppner, and seven great grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at Lady Lake United Methodist Church, Lady Lake, Florida in the near future to celebrate the life of Carolyn Vanderbur.
