Carol Hodges Yawn departed this life on March 30 at the age of 77. As a life-long resident of Bulloch County, she saw many changes in her home community through the years.
After following the love of her life, Bruce, to the University of Georgia, the couple graduated and returned to Statesboro in 1969 to marry and begin their family together.
Carol was very much involved in the local institution that was Snooky’s Restaurant. While not cooking or waiting tables, her steadfast support of Bruce and her focus on their family allowed Bruce to not only operate the renowned local eatery, but allowed his involvement in many other community-centered endeavors.
In Proverbs it states, “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life (New Living Bible)." And to be sure, Bruce’s life was enriched by Carol.
A stay at home mom during her children’s younger years, she focused on Jeff, Nancy, and Susan, while always supporting Bruce. Snooky’s was indeed a family place for many local citizens, but was literally a family affair for the Yawns, as quite often Carol and the kids would visit Snooky’s to enjoy a meal and spend time with Bruce.
As son Jeff said, “Dad was so involved in the community and in the restaurant, that most people recognized him for his accomplishments, and rightly so. But mom was the bedrock of the family, seeing that each of us had a loving, Christ-centered upbringing, that has served us well."
Jeff said that his sisters echoed his thoughts about their mother’s impact on their lives.
After the kids got a bit older, Carol pursued a career as a counselor at Statesboro High School, guiding countless young people through their academics as well as life in general.
Carol was active in her community in her own right, having served as a past-president of the Statesboro Service League, and as a very faithful member of Statesboro First United Methodist Church, where she was involved with Sunday School and Bible studies.
She would later play an instrumental role in the founding of Connection Church, where she continued as a devoted member until her passing.
Carol’s love and pride in her children and their spouses, Jeff and Megan Yawn, Nancy and Chad Wiggins, and Susan and Brandon Williams, was evident to anyone who knew her, and that love and pride were likely even more intense for her grandchildren.
Other family members, both from her side of the family and Bruce’s, always knew they could count on Carol to be supportive and caring, no matter the circumstance.
Some of the words used by friends to describe Carol were, kind, gracious, giving, loving, sweet, and precious. If her friends felt that about her, her family’s view of her included all those descriptors, but multiplied many times over!
Carol always had the same, even-keeled personality. She would greet people with a smile, inquire about them and theirs, and make the other person feel good about themselves. I personally never heard her utter a negative word about anyone. She was always upbeat and encouraging, traits that are often hard to find in someone today.
At Carol’s visitation and funeral service on April 2nd and 3rd, a multitude of family and friends gathered to celebrate a life well-lived, and to acknowledge the sweet soul that was Carol Yawn.
She will continue to be missed, but the influence she had on the lives of her family, friends, and countless students through the years, are her legacy that will live on.
Additional verses in Proverbs say, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” Those words are the epitome of Carol Yawn. May she rest in peace.
Carol Hodges Yawn
December 17, 1946-March 30, 2024
