Beautiful, always poised, sweet inside and out, a beautiful soul and graceful are just a few of the words used to describe Carolyn Sue Malone who succumbed to the dreadful disease of Dementia after a eight-year battle on September 20, 2020. Carolyn began her life’s journey on September 30, 1948 being born to her father Franklin Wright Blackmon of Fouke, AR and her mother Ruth Annette (Smith) Blackmon of Bright Star, AR. Carolyn grew up in Oil City, La where she was a graduate of North Caddo High School in Vivian, La. It was here that she met her future husband William (Bill) Malone of Vivian, La whom she would marry on May 18, 1967. She is survived by that husband of 53 years, Bill Malone, and her children Sean Patrick Malone and wife Brenda of Flint, Martin Tyler Malone and wife Angie of Grapevine and daughter Courtney Anderson and husband Arthur of Fort Sam Houston. Her legacy includes six grandchildren: Kyrsti and husband Jedediah, Caitlyn, Lindsey and her husband Isaac, Lucas, Kennon and Caroline. Additionally, five great grandchildren; Kenzie, Amelia, Benjamin, Corey and Cason. She was a soldier’s wife and mother who supported her family during their combined thirteen tours of combat duty in Vietnam and Iraq. For this Carolyn was awarded “The Yellow Rose of Texas” by the Governor of Texas in appreciation of her 40 years of family support and sacrifice. Her abiding focus was always her Lord, family and children even as she worked as a business manager for a nursing home for over 20 years. A special thanks to Ms. Karen Chitwood and Cedar Lake Hospice Care for their untiring work tending to Carolyn. No earthly memorial could honor this wife, mother and friend enough however; her funeral service will be held at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home on Friday September 25, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. with viewing at the funeral home Thursday September 24, 2020 from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. following the service on Friday graveside services will be held at Gray Cemetery in Gray, Texas at 4:00 P.M. A reception will be held after the viewing Thursday evening from 8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. at VFW Post # 7103 on County Road 4807 in Athens. Pallbearers will be Pat Malone, Marty Malone, Arthur Anderson, Isaac, Jed Amaral and David Haimes.