Carolyn Mathis Obermark, formerly of Paducah, died on June 24, 2024 in Edgewood, KY, one day before her 90th birthday. She was born in Melber, KY to the late Harry F. Mathis and Clarice Wyatt Mathis. At age 6, her family moved to Detroit, MI, where her father worked as a riveter at Briggs Manufacturing Company during the Second World War. They moved back to Melber in 1947, where she spent her teen years going to school and working on the family farm.
After high school, Carolyn was hired by Alfred Obermark, the McCracken County Circuit Court Clerk, to work in the Drivers License Bureau. The two later married and raised their three children in Paducah. Carolyn continued working at the courthouse for many years, where she made lifelong friendships and enjoyed daily chats with the citizens of her hometown, retiring in 2004. She remained in Paducah until the last two years of her life, moving to Florence, KY to be near her children and grandchildren.
Carolyn loved music (especially Elvis), reading, classic movies, UK basketball, and numerous pet cats over her lifetime. She valued spending time with her extended family and many friends above all else, and she will be lovingly remembered as a wonderful mother and grandmother with a kind and nurturing spirit, generous nature, and optimistic outlook on life.
She is survived by three children, Susan (David) Berry, Edgewood, KY, Peter (Sherri) Obermark, Cincinnati, OH, and Julie (Doug) Menkhaus, Cincinnati, OH; three grandchildren, Emily (Joe) Epstein, Nathan Obermark, and Hallie Menkhaus, all of Cincinnati, OH; two great-grandchildren, Kenzi Berry and Harli Epstein, Cincinnati, OH; one sister, Ladonna (Ray) Bailey, Mayfield, KY; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Obermark; three sisters, Faye Mathis, Mae Rudolph, and Harriett Thuesen; one brother, Ed Mathis; and one grandson, Tristan Berry.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2024. There will be no public visitation.
Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.
Murphy, a stray kitten she rescued in Paducah, has been her loyal companion for the past nine years, and she would like memorial donations to be made to the McCracken County Humane Society, www.mccrackenhumane.org.
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