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Obituaries
Carol Lipscomb Ficklen
Carol Lipscomb Ficklen, 79, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Riverside Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.
Carol married the love of her life, Carter Ficklen, Jr., in 1964, and they shared 57 years before his death in 2021. Carol and Carter had three children, Margaret Anne (Tom), Frances (John), and Carter III (Jennifer), and five grandchildren, Thomas, William, Skylar, Braxton, and Elizabeth.
Carol was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, and was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Margaret Lipscomb.
Carol was a graduate of Warwick High School and attended Mary Washington College.
After moving to Hampton in 1966, Carol’s first career as a stay-at-home mom was filled with volunteer and leadership roles in her local community. As President of the Forrest Elementary PTA, she led many events and fundraisers, including the annual school carnival, a highlight for the entire community.
Carol earned her associate’s degree from Thomas Nelson Community College and participated in the NASA co-op program. After graduation, she continued her work at NASA, earning her Certified Professional Secretary certification and numerous awards.
Carol was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, teaching Sunday School for nearly two decades, serving as Christian Education Coordinator and a member of the Vestry.
After retirement, Carol and Carter traveled extensively, enjoying cruises and trips with friends, especially during their time in Las Vegas. An accomplished seamstress and needleworker, Carol was perhaps best known as the Christmas Tree Lady, decorating her home with countless trees, filled mostly with handcrafted ornaments.
Carol’s greatest hobby was entertaining. Carol and Carter hosted countless parties, including their annual Christmas party, which in later years became themed events from Frosty’s Winter Wonderland to a cruise theme and a tropical Christmas. Add to that Mardi Gras and Sport-themed events, parties at the Ficklen house were always the talk of the town. The most spectacular party of all was Carol and Carter’s 50th wedding anniversary in 2014, where Carol appeared on the TV show I Found the Gown to select her gown.
Spending time with her grandchildren was truly the greatest joy of her life, as she attended sporting events, plays, recitals, graduations, and concerts.
After Carter’s passing in 2021, Carol moved to the Chamberlin Senior Living Community. It was a special place for Carol and Carter early in their relationship, and there was no more perfect place for her to spend her final years. She loved looking at the many ships that passed her windows and her time with her friends at Table 11. Carol’s family is forever thankful to her friends and the staff at the Chamberlin Senior Living Center for their love and friendship for the last three years.
A celebration of Carol’s life is planned for Saturday, March 9, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newport News, earmarked for Community Outreach.
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.
9 Comments
So sorry for your loss.
Love all of you.
God bless you.
Susie
Larry & I will miss you we have had a lot of fun with our grandchildren Skylar & Braxton we will give them kisses from you❤️
My love, sympathy and prayers are with all of you. Shared many memories of Carol and also Carter during the many years as members of St. Andrew’s. May your many wonderful memories of your Mom help ease your grief. So sorry!!
Carolyn Knight
So sorry for your loss. I have great memories of cousin, Carol, when she would visit our grandparents in Paxtonville, PA and our visits to Aunt Peg and Hoots in Virginia. She always had a smile on her face and I loved her southern accent. She will now be back with her love, Carter.
Carol was a very sweet lady and devoted to St. Andrew’s. I’m sure she and Carter are happily reunited now.
Carol was such a warm, vibrant personality who was full of life. Her dedication to and love of Carter and her family was so evident and admired. My deepest sympathy to each member of her dear family.
Carol and Carter were filled with Love for each other and all that surrounded them. Carol’s funeral was simply Beautiful and Filled with all the Love that has Surrounded her for all the years that I have known her. My love to her children, Particularly Carter and Margaret Ann and to all of her Grandchildren. You were all the Light of her Life and always remember that
She was So Very Proud of all of You. Walk in Love, knowing that your Grandparents are watching over you with Love!
Carter, so sorry to learn of your mothers passing. I found out at a meeting of the Langley Alumni Association on Tuesday. I wanted to call you but no longer had your phone number. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
I am so devastated to learn of Carol’s death. She and I were roommates our freshman and sophomore years at Mary Washington. And I was there when she and Carter were married. And we rediscovered each other through Facebook. And it was a joy to see the love that sustained their lives together. I am so very sorry for your loss. I wish I could have said good-bye. I will keep her memory close.