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Known to most of you only as GRANNY, Shirley Carr passed from this world, November 13, 2012, 6:10 pm at Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC. She had been fighting cancer, diagnosed in August of this year.
Mother of three, she had thousands that she was “Granny” to, young and old. Her last twenty-three years were spent teaching tennis, most recently at Racquet Club of Gastonia and Windyrush Country Club in Charlotte.
She is survived by her daughter and in house son, Hank and Sharon Avants (Gastonia), brother Bob and Ruth Ann Thomas (Lillington), sister-in-law Pat Thomas (Sanford) daughter-in-law Pat Carr (Lakeland, FL), grandchildren: Corene Annette (Cory Ann) Avants-Dockins (Charlotte), Becky Carr Williamson (Lakeland), David Carr, II (Lakeland), Patrick Carr (Orlando) and five great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents Ray and Corene Thomas, Brother: Donald Thomas, sons: David and Gary Carr.
Granny worked for NC Division of Prisons for fifteen years before moving to Gastonia where she was employed by Gaston Country Club (10 years),Cramer Mountain Country Club (4 years). She was able to do anything from court maintenance to cooking in the Cabaña. She has been an impact in all programs she worked. She played basketball, softball and spent many of her years as a typical mother raising three children. If the baseball coach was sick, she hit line drives to the infield, she supported her children in all aspects of life. Loving to travel,she saw Elvis Presley and Jackson 5 live in Vegas! She showed 
horses and loved to work in the garden. (Tomatoes were her favorite!)
Granny was our first sergeant at home and on the court, she will be greatly missed. We hope you will share any story about Granny that you wish. She will forever be present in our hearts and home. Hugs to everyone!
In lieu of flowers, please donate to place a plaque in memory of Granny at Racquet Club of Gastonia, 3116 Howe Dairy Drive, Gastonia, NC 28056.
There will be a celebration of her life held at the Racquet Club of Gastonia at 1:00 PM Sunday, November 18, 2012, a 1:15 PM Remembrance followed by a Cover Dish and Tennis. Please join us. Remember to layer up for the chill!
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury, North Carolina is assisting the Carr family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Tracy says
Sharon, Hank, Corey Ann & family, I am so sad for your loss. Granny was one in a billion. Such a fiery spirit and overwhelmingly kind hearted; I was blessed just to know her. God needed and has called another angel to his Kingdom and I am sure she will be marshalling the order of things up there as well as she did here. I am praying for your strength and comfort.
Love & prayers, Tracy
Susan McCraney says
I truly fill your pain and I know as the days go by, it will lessen; however, the love that we feel for Granny will forever be in our hearts. She was a beautiful lady, inside and outside. I loved the kindness, drive, and especially the spunk she had inside her and was a great mentor. She is all of our inspiration. My love and prayers go out to you, Hank and the rest of the family. Always and forever, love you.
Beth Hughes says
So sorry for your loss. We loved seeing Granny at the courts. Her energy and joy radiated to the kids and parents. She was an amazing lady and she will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Susan Herman says
Sharon,
Loved learning more about Granny and her life when she was younger. I will be with you in spirit at the celebration of her life. My memories will be of Granny driving the golf cart preparing the courts on chilly fall nights.
Regina, Robert, Natalie, Madison and Jean Martin (grandmother) says
Sharon, Hank and family,
So sorry to hear of Granny’s passing. She was a wonderful lady and always had a kind word for the girls whether they won or lost. I know you will miss her but cherish the wonderful memories and know she will be smiling down on you. I’m sure she will be managing Heaven’s tennis tournaments too! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
BethWingate says
So sorry to hear of Granny’s passing. We were blessed to have her work with Lauren and Grayson on the courts and will miss her loving spirit. Hank, Sharon, and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Beth, Mark, Lauren, and Grayson Wingate
Ron and Patty Arend says
Granny was a lovely lady. Many of us have been honored to know her. We will always remember her special way with the children and the frequent chats sitting in the sun together at the club. She always had such a positive attitude and something nice to say. She will be missed by many. We offer our deepest consolences to Sharon, Hank and her family and friends. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Arend family.
Carrie Woolard says
Sharon,
I really enjoyed learning tennis from Granny and learning other stuff from her. She was a very nice person and fun to be around. I am very sorry for your loss.
Love,
Carrie Woolard
Erik and Emily Schuls says
Granny will always have a special place in our hearts. We will miss her very much. She was a wonderful person, and touched all of our lives in a special way.
the Eckstein family says
She always was like a Granny to our children when we moved to Gastonia, always so friendly, happy and helpful- I remember sitting in the gazebo and talking to Granny about the dogs, the rabbits or her flowers and tomatoes.
I wonder if she will rest in heaven or look after the tennis courts up there… Granny will always stay in our memories and hearts!
Love from Germany, Brigitte, Joerg, Sandra and Thomas
Deborah, Mark, Nick, Samantha & Ella Russo says
We are so sad to hear about Granny passing. What an amazing, loving, beautiful lady! Ella has told many people the person she most loves to play tennis with is Granny. Granny was so special and we are blessed to have known her. We will keep you all in our hearts and pray you will find comfort in treasured memories of her. May God bless you all and hold you tight during this difficult time.
Sarah Malik says
Granny was a wonderful lady who looked after my two children summer after summer when they were in tennis camp
Even when the temperatures were unbearable and the kids were moaning she still kept her little players in check making sure they had water and were in the shade
She had a great talent and my children loved being with her. We will all miss her so much especially her kind heart
We are thinking of you all at this very difficult time
The Malik family, especially Tara and Mira xx
Jenny Brantley says
Sharon, Hank and Corey Ann –
So, so sorry to hear this news. Granny was wonderful! Our kids called her “tennis granny”. She always had a hug for them and took good care of all of the tennis kids at Windyrush. Thinking of all of you – Granny is sure missed.
The Brantleys