Carolyn Wise

Martha Carolyn Wise departed this life for her heavenly home on May 22, 2025. Carolyn was born on April 11, 1946 to Lacy Cecil Wise and Edith Yonce Wise. She graduated from Pelion High School in 1964. She graduated as the salutatorian of her class and was also the recipient of the DAR Award. Carolyn entered the University of South Caroline in 1964 and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Secondary Education. In 1977, she earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina, and in 1980 she earned a Master's Degree in Librarianship from the University of South Carolina. While earning her graduate degrees, she was employed as a librarian at the University of South Carolina libraries.

After completing her graduate degrees, she was employed as the Pelion High School librarian in Lexington School District One. Here she was involved in renovating the library and planning the library for a new high school.

She was involved in the planning of the renovation and furnishing of the library in the original high school.

She was also involved in the planning of the renovation and furnishing of the library at the middle school to serve as the high school library while the new high school was under construction. 

She was also involved in the planning, design, and furnishing for the library for the new Pelion High School which opened in 2001.

Her interest and assistance to students was outstanding.  In addition to her position as librarian of the high school, she also was the sponsor for the drama club. Her responsibilities included directing and presenting class plays and planning trips to the Town Theater in Columbia, S.C. where students enjoyed viewing live productions. Carolyn attended various conferences as she was always working to increase her knowledge in her profession. (She was also involved in various other activities which benefited not only students but the community as well.)  Other activities included Carolyn's planning of several High School Reunions, May Day Exercises and the development of a scholarship for students in honor of retired teachers.

Carolyn planned a scholarship to honor a former math teacher who had been very special to many students, Miss Ruth Gunter. Many students have benefited from these scholarships. 

For many years, Carolyn was responsible for planning the May Day Programs, which included the contestants as well as the judges for the ceremonies.

Carolyn enjoyed creating and planning happy times for prior graduates of Pelion High School.  She planned a reunion for grades from 1940-1980. She arranged entertainment and a meal for 400 people which proved to be quite the chore. She would later coordinate another reunion for the classes of 1940-1960. Everyone from both events enjoyed them so much that when they would see Carolyn afterwards, they would ask when there would be another reunion. 

Carolyn attended one particular conference of the American Library Association where she heard a presentation by Marion Blumenthal Lazan, Holocaust survivor, speaker, and author of the book Four Perfect Pebbles. She was so impressed by the experience, that she wanted her students to hear the presentation. She had to raise funds in order to invite Mrs. Lazan to the school. She wrote a grant requesting help from the Jewish Foundation, and it was approved. Mrs. Lazan came and made several presentations: one in the morning for students of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades and an evening presentation attended by many from the community at large as well as students from other schools. Carolyn was the first teacher in Lexington District One to bring a Holocaust survivor to speak to students. This was an accomplishment of which she was very proud. She was also thankful for her new friendship with Mrs. Lazan. Columbia members of the Jewish Foundation Awarded Carolyn a certificate of appreciation for her efforts to bring recognition to the history of the Holocaust.

Carolyn was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. She was very active as a Sunday School teacher. Also, she was active in fundraising used to pay church debt, and fundraising for scholarships for graduating seniors.

Carolyn retired from the state of South Carolina with 48 years of service. She enjoyed cooking, taking care of her greenhouse plants, and spending time with her loving family and her beloved pets. She had a passion for art, and her oil paintings are admired by many.

She is survived by her sister Sarah B. Wise of Pelion, SC.

A private graveside service will be held at New Hope Baptist Church in Pelion, S.C. with relatives and friends.