Carole Martin Willis

May 16, 1946 ~ January 14, 2022
Carole Martin Willis passed away peacefully on Friday, January 14, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn., at the age of 75. Carole was a native of Nashville, Tenn., and the daughter of the late Eldon Jewel and Eulalia Ann Puckett Fant. Carole was a member of the Christ Church Cathedral and a graduate of Hillsboro High School and Peabody University. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Eldon Fant, and her beloved husband, William R. Willis Jr., who passed away in 2010. Carole was an incredibly driven and passionate woman who poured her heart and soul into the two loves of her life – her family and her career. She began her career working in political campaigns for well-known Nashville politician and attorney John J. Hooker and former Governor of Tennessee and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. During Alexander’s eight-year term as governor, Carole served as the executive assistant and residence manager for Tennessee First Lady Honey Alexander. She also served as the director of Advertising for Nashville-based Washington Manufacturing Company for several years and then later finished her career as the director of Communications for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, from which she retired in 2005. Carole was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She treasured every moment with her family and especially loved traveling with them to her favorite locations – St. George Island, Fla., Mars Hill, N.C., and anywhere in Europe. She had a vivacious personality and was never afraid to tell anyone exactly what was on her mind. Her big heart, strong will and dry sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her. Carole is survived by her children, Lowell Franklin (Emily) Martin III, Jessica Martin (Mark) Darden, both of Nashville, Tenn.; grandchildren Blythe Louise Darden, Harper Claire Martin, Kyle Henry Darden and Avery Walker Martin; sister-in-law Mary Daughrity Fant, nephews John Bradford Fant and Steven Andrew Fant, and niece Lynn Marie Fant. A memorial service for Carole will be held on Saturday, March 5,2022, at 2PM, at Christ Church Cathedral at 900 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service from 1PM-2PM. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Nashville Humane Association, Guardian Hospice of Nashville or the charity of your choice.
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