Carole Cox Bartee

Carole Elizabeth (Cox) Bartee, 88, was born November 29, 1937 to William Rufus Cox and Lillie Frances Hall in Goldsboro, North Carolina and was one of six children. The child of sharecroppers, she picked cotton and attended Pikeville High School, even driving a school bus while a student. A hard upbringing led her to being a fiercely independent and self-reliant woman, ahead of her time in many respects. Following graduation, she worked for an attorney before joining AT&T (formerly the Southern Bell Telephone Company) where she retired as an executive.

She moved from Goldsboro, North Carolina to Marietta, Georgia in 1964 and ultimately settled in Centerville, Georgia. In better days, she enjoyed church, sewing, fishing, gardening, canning, and bird watching.

She is survived by daughters, Kennecia Garrison (Hal) and Donna Walcott; grandchildren, Kimberly Ricketson (Allen), Megan Salter (Eric), Becky Taylor, and Parker Walcott, and great-grandchildren, Brayden Ricketson, Victoria Parramore (TJ), Kyra Taylor, Brycen Sursely, and Kolton Walcott. She is also survived by two brothers, Johnny Cox of North Carolina, and Eddis “Boo” Cox of Oregon. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Donald Bartee, both parents and three siblings, Joyce Johnson, Faye Smith, and Billy Cox, all of North Carolina.

A graveside service is planned for Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Magnolia Park Cemetery. Dr. Paul Cowles will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friendship Baptist Church Building Fund. 

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Heritage Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory has the honor of being entrusted with the arrangements.