Carolyn Henderson “Spunky” Hollingsworth, 79, former resident of South Main Street, Cross Hill, widow of Robert Thomas Hollingsworth, to whom she was married 49 years, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2021, at the Presbyterian Home in Clinton.
Born May 30, 1942, to Lt. Col. Lykes Shelton Henderson and Ruth Moyer Henderson, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where she was immediately nicknamed “Spunky” by the nurses in attendance. That name would later be famous as her father, an Army Air Corps pilot, would name his plane “The Spunky” and be shot down by the Germans over France during World War II. The Germans went on to take the remains of his plane and film them to be used as propaganda. Her father would go on to serve in the US Air Force for many years and Spunky would spend her childhood in Japan, Spain and all over the United States. The nickname was how she was known by family and close friends for the rest of her life.
Mrs. Hollingsworth was educated in military schools in Spain, and Mississippi, attended Winthrop College and graduated from Presbyterian College. She was a consummate entertainer, who enjoyed preparing meals for special occasions and for people she thought needed a lift. One of her original recipes was published in the pages of Southern Living Magazine. She spent her time raising her girls and being a friend to everyone she knew.
She was a member and former church historian for Liberty Springs Presbyterian Church. She would later become “the welcoming committee” for the Presbyterian Home in Clinton, where she seemed to know about everyone who would become a resident even before they arrived.
Private graveside services will be held Wednesday at Liberty Springs Presbyterian Church Cemetery and a Memorial service for family and close friends will be conducted at 10:30 Friday morning at Liberty Springs Presbyterian Church with Rev. Emil Finley and Rev. Andrew Perry officiating.
She was the oldest of all her siblings and was the last member of her immediate family.
She is survived by two daughters, Tracey H. and husband Lance Williams of Cross Hill, and Jan H. and husband Richard Ridlehuber of Spartanburg; a special friend, Pam LaHay (Steve) Orr of Clinton; a sister-in-law, Susan Henderson of Clinton; a brother-in-law, Willard Lawrimore of Hemingway; and “her heart”, her grandchildren, Bill Williams, Robert (Blair) Williams, Will Ridlehuber, Anna Grace (fiancé, Patrick Corley) Ridlehuber, and Carolyn RIdlehuber; and many much loved nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Col. Lykes Shelton Henderson, Jr., Irene Henderson, Lewis Moyer Henderson and Noland Henderson.
Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Home-CLINTON, Employee Christmas Fund, 801 Musgrove Street, Clinton, SC 29325, or to Liberty Springs Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Liberty Springs Street, Cross Hill, SC 29332.
The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to the staff of the Presbyterian Home-CLINTON, for their love and kindnesses over the last seven years.
Carolyn Henderson “Spunky” Hollingsworth, 79, former resident of South Main Street, Cross Hill, widow of Robert Thomas Hollingsworth, to whom she was married 49 years, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2021, at the Presbyterian Home in Clinton.
Born May 30, 1942, to Lt. Col. Lykes Shelton Henderson and Ruth Moyer Henderson, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, w
Events
Service
Friday, July 16, 2021
10:30 am
Liberty Springs Presbyterian Church
200 West Liberty Springs StreetCross Hill, SC 29332