Carolyn Ann (Cousins) Fears

Carolyn Ann Cousins Fears, age 75, died July 16, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer of the central nervous system.

Carolyn was born on June 10, 1946, in LaGrange, Georgia to her late parents Joseph Byron Cousins, Jr. and Catherine Allene Sisk Cousins. At age two, Carolyn’s family moved to nearby Greenville, Georgia where her father operated a dairy farm. She attended Union Baptist Church and graduated from Greenville High School in 1964.

Carolyn attended North Georgia College where she met her husband, Oscar Baldwin (Bo) Fears, Jr.  After graduation, she and Bo married in 1969 and began their life together. Carolyn remained in Georgia during Bo’s deployment in Vietnam. After the war, they settled in Pensacola, Florida, where they welcomed their two sons Oscar Baldwin Fears, III in 1971 and Benjamin Taylor Fears in 1975. After Bo resigned his military commission, Bo’s career required the family to move to North Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, Georgia, South Carolina, Brazil, Virginia, and California.  Carolyn made a Christ centered home for her family in each place they lived which always began with a church home and a bible study, often led by her.  Her faith and her family were her most treasured possessions.

In 2008, Carolyn and Bo retired to Lake Oconee to be near their sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and extended family. Carolyn had a hand in every detail in their home, creating a place full of beauty and a hub to welcome family. Carolyn also created a full life for herself at the lake. When seeing a call for auditions in a local paper for a new community theater, Carolyn made up her mind to try out. She went on to act in and direct several shows and it was a great source of joy for her. Highly involved in the local arts, Carolyn played a large role in the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) and eventually led the organization. She loved meeting and connecting with new people and cultivated a treasure trove of friends.

Carolyn was a great encourager of people. She was a willing ear and source of strength for her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews and was always ready with scripture or words of support. Carolyn was a devoted follower of Christ and freely shared the Lord and his love for us. Throughout the years, Carolyn led hundreds of people to Christ.

When faced with her cancer diagnosis, Carolyn told her twin sister, Cathy, that she would do whatever her part was in the treatment for as long as she could. And she did. Her faith, her sweetness, and her sense of humor stayed constant throughout the too brief fight. She is with the Lord and her family looks forward to being reunited with her one day.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Oscar Baldwin Fears, Jr., her two sons and their wives, Oscar Baldwin Fears, III and Erin Fears and Benjamin Taylor Fears and Allison Fears. She is predeceased by parents Joseph Byron Cousins, Jr. and Catherine Allene Sisk Cousins, and brothers Joseph Byron Cousins, III and Richard Marion Cousins. Also surviving are sister Catherine Whitcomb (Lt. Gen. [R.] Steven) and brother Col. (R.)  Lawrence Cousins (Raye). Carolyn delighted in her grandchildren and is survived by Noah Baldwin Fears, Hannah Catherine Fears, Garrison Paul Fears, Carter Zachary Fears, Catherine Elliott Fears, and Mason Siler Fears.

A memorial service for Carolyn is at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 30, at Grace Fellowship Church in Greensboro, Georgia with a reception to follow.

Gifts in Carolyn’s memory may be directed to any of the following organizations, all of which were meaningful to her.

Atlas Ministry

Give online at www.atlasministry.org/donate or check mailed to 1560 South Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642

First Call Pregnancy Center

Give online at www.firstcall.me/donate or check mailed to 1531 W. Broad Street, Greensboro, GA 30642

Oconee Performing Arts Society

Mail a check to 4980-A Carey Station Road, Greensboro, GA 30642 or give online at www.opas.org

McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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