Carolyn Brand, 87
May 29, 1937 – March 1, 2025
Okolona- A wonderfully sweet and loving child of God met her Creator on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona where she had resided the last two years. Carolyn Watson Brand was born on May 29, 1937 in the Palmetto Community of Lee County to the late Sam Watson and Edna Threadgill Watson. She was 87 years old. Carolyn graduated from Okolona High School, On November 19, 1956, she married the late Jesse Harris Brand, longtime Fire Chief in the City of Okolona, who died on March 24, 2021-a marriage of 61 years at his death.
Carolyn was a gentle soul whose life was devoted to her God, family, country and community. She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Okolona, where she faithfully attended and served until her health failed. Carolyn worked as an Operator for South Central Bell Telephone Company, in the days of party lines! She eventually became the founder, owner and operator of Knee High Childcare Nursery in Okolona for many years. She was an Assistant to an Okolona attorney for many years before becoming a homemaker. Her great love was her family followed by her love of her Church and her children and grandchildren and all who attended her Daycare for years. An uncomplicated lady, Carolyn will long be remembered for having the gifts of a big heart, a generous smile and encouraging words for everyone.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Alan Hall and Bro. Sean Greer officiating. Burial will follow in Oddfellows Cemetery in Okolona. Visitation will be from Noon-service time on Wednesday only at Holland-Okolona Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.
Carolyn is survived by her children, William “Bill” Brand of Sherman, Leslie Brand of Okolona and Carol Brand Caldwell and husband, John of Sherman; her grandchildren, Sam Brand of Dallas, TX, Dallas Brand of Endville, MS., John Martin Caldwell (Brittany) of Wren, MS and Lauren Galloway (Jake) of Sherman, MS.; her great grandchildren, Emerson Galloway, Zach Galloway, Colton Galloway, Hunter Brand (Ashley) and Eli Brand ( Layla) Great great grandchildren, Wren Leigh Brand and Landry Brand and a brother, Fred “Sonny” Watson of Henderson, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Edna Watson; her husband, Chief Jesse Brand and a sister, Faye Hindman.
Pallbearers will be Sam Brand, John Martin Caldwell, Jake Galloway, Marty Watson, Jeff Watson and Richie Watson.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Building Fund of the historic First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 436, Okolona, MS 38860. Condolences may be posted to www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/ Obits.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
