Carolyn Virginia Allison Burch, 97, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024. She was born August 18, 1926, in the Monroe County, MS, community of Wren. After graduating from Wren High School, Carolyn attended Mississippi University for Women (The W), graduating in 1947. Her career at Florence State University, now UNA, began with a job offer from Dr. Keller on a recruitment trip to The W. Carolyn accepted, and remained there through the 1980s, retiring as Registrar. She took her role as advisor to students seriously, and many thanks were given by them through the years. She was always very proud of her beloved town of Florence.  Never one to slow down, after retirement Carolyn stayed busy for many years at a family business, Burch Fishing Tackle, becoming a fixture at "the shop."

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas Burch, Jr., infant son John Thomas Burch, III, her parents Johnnie D. and Reba Allison, brothers John Wayne Allison and Jimmy D. Allison, and sister Nancy Bartram.

She is survived by her sisters Miriam Marlar and Rebecca Fortenberry, and her children Becky (Steve) Ricroft, Amy (David) Cantrell, Lynn (Jerry) Newman, Johnny (Denise) Burch, and Brian (Lynn) Burch.  Carolyn was known as Ahwah to her eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.  Those grandchildren are David (Karen Poggi) Cantrell, Camille (Kevin) Smith McMakin, Drew (Gwen Rudie) Newman, Emily (Clint) Baker, Leslie (Nathan) Sawyer, Mark (Lindsey) Burch, Lauren (Josh) Potts, and Lucy Burch (fiancé Garrett Griffin).  Ahwah's great-grandchildren are Riley Cantrell, Carolyn Smith, Lucas McMakin, Ollie Newman, Jackson Sawyer, John Thomas Sawyer, Charleston Burch, Nora Potts, Mary Claire Potts, Liv Potts, and Reese Potts.

Those who were lucky enough to know and love Carolyn Burch treasured her common-sense approach to life (and always doing things the right way), love of correct English grammar, passion for the Atlanta Braves, and belief that life is meant to be centered around more than your own needs. She was a member of North Wood United Methodist Church.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Florence City Cemetery beginning at 3:00pm. Visitation will be held at Elkins Funeral Home from 12:30pm - 2:30pm. Elkins Funeral Home in Florence is assisting the family.