Carolyn Callison Appleby

Carolyn Callison Appleby, 82, of Charlotte, North Carolina, peacefully passed on September 23, 2025. She was a cherished wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt and friend, and her infectious laugh and caring heart will be deeply missed by those whose lives were touched by her.

Born on September 20, 1943 in Ansted, West Virginia, Carolyn was the third daughter of Madelon Sue Burgess and Edward Earl Callison. Carolyn and her three loving sisters grew up in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia and shared a love for gardening, canning, sewing, crafting and baking.

After graduation, Carolyn went to work at the CIA in Washington, DC where she met her adoring husband, Michael Braden Appleby. They married on June 6th, 1964 and lived happily together for 54 years until Mike’s passing in 2018. God and family were at the center of their marriage and they were blessed with two children, Michael Wayne Appleby and Jeanette Appleby Wenger.

Carolyn had a successful career in office management and their family lived in several cities including Fairfax, VA, and Mechanicsburg, PA.

After retiring in 2008, Carolyn and Mike moved to North Carolina to be closer to family including their children and grandchildren. She had a special bond with each of her 7 grandchildren and made quality time for each one of them.

One of Carolyn’s greatest joys was the love and time spent with her devoted sisters Bobbie, Donna and Nan. They were like peas in a pod and never missed an opportunity to spend time together on home projects, traveling, crafts, shopping for treasures and laughing and telling stories. When the sisters got together Carolyn always came with a project to work on, which the sisters happily helped with.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her youngest sister, Nan Jane Chianesi.

She is survived by her sisters Barbara Ann McGraw (Richard) and Donna Jean Hall; her children Michael Wayne Appleby (Jennifer) and Jeanette Appleby Wenger (Michael); grandchildren Bethany Wenger Wolfe (Bryan), Calvin Wenger, Lucas Wenger, Adam Wenger, Cecilia Wenger, Camille Appleby Buben (Ben) and Chloe Appleby and great grandchildren Braden Wenger, Gwen Wolfe and Jonah Wolfe.

Carolyn lived her life to the fullest, was no nonsense and loved to laugh, entertain, decorate, play bridge, volunteer at her church, travel and spend quality time with friends and family. She was a devoted Catholic and member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Lancaster, SC.