Carolyn Bridges Woodson

Carolyn Bridges Woodson, age 90, of Decatur, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Carolyn was born on March 16, 1936, in Blakely, Georgia to devoted parents, Donald Seales Bridges and Ruth Rish Bridges. Her family moved to Atlanta when she was a young child and eventually settled in the Decatur area. After graduating from Druid Hills High School, she attended the University of Georgia, earning a bachelor's degree in English.

While at UGA, she met and fell in love with her beloved husband, Bob. Together, they shared 67 wonderful years of marriage and raised three children, Scott, Ruth, and Joy in their home in Stone Mountain. With her innate sense of style, she knew how to make every occasion both beautiful and inviting. Carolyn also loved her church family and was a life-long member of First Baptist Church of Decatur, where she served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, among countless other volunteer positions.

She carried her love of reading throughout her life and also found great joy in traveling the world with her husband, and helping young students learn to read. An avid gardener, she used her talents to make her yard a sanctuary and worked with her garden club to plant trees and flowers across Dekalb County. Above all, Carolyn treasured spending time with her family.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Bob Woodson; her children, Scott (Carrie) Woodson, Ruth (Scott) Jernigan, and Joy (Gary) Cook; her grandchildren, Nick (Zia) Jernigan, Ben Woodson, Sarah Ashley (Cole) Simpson, Will Woodson, Clay Cook, and Tyler Cook; and her great-grandchildren, Ace Jernigan, Brady Simpson, and Lila Jernigan. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Nancy Bridges.

A service celebrating the life of Carolyn Woodson will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Decatur. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to her church or the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.