Carolyn Ray Campbell Richardson, age 80, of Mount Pleasant, SC, a native of Cadiz, KY, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Lowcountry Community Hospice House in Summerville, SC.
Born on October 9, 1944, in Cadiz, to Weldon Ray and Rosina Blane Campbell, Carolyn attended school in Trigg County until her junior year, graduating from Gulf Park Preparatory School in Gulfport, MS. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Radio, Television, and Film. During her senior year at Kentucky, she was one of the founders of the Barkley Lake Broadcasting Co. (WKDZ) and worked at the station following graduation.
On September 7, 1966, Carolyn married Dr. William N. “Nat” Richardson, who had recently joined the practice of Drs. John and Elias Futrell before joining the U.S. Army. Dr. Richardson served a year in Vietnam during the war and returned to Kentucky and served out the remainder of his term stationed at Fort Campbell. The couple then settled in Dr. Richardson’s hometown of South Pittsburg, TN, where he practiced medicine until they returned to Cadiz in 1969. In 1970, their son Blane was born, and while Carolyn was a busy young mother, she was also very active in the community, serving in various local civic organizations. In 1972, she successfully ran for the Trigg County Board of Education and served as chairman for two terms before moving from the community. Along with her local school board duties, Carolyn was also involved with education on a state and national basis, serving on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary Education, the Kentucky State Elementary Commission, the Board of Directors of the Hopkinsville Community College, the Governor’s Task Force on Education, and the National School Boards Association.
From 1971-1974, Carolyn held the position of Public Relations and Marketing Director for Trigg County Farmers Bank. She then started Communications Unlimited, a public relations and advertising specialty firm, which she owned and operated until 1978. Within the business community, she was active in many organizations. She served on the Board of Directors for the Cadiz-Trigg County Chamber of Commerce, the Governor’s Economic Development Council, the Kentucky Film Commission, and the Kentucky Educational Television Network. In 1973, she was named Woman of the Year by the Trigg County Business and Professional Women’s Club and went on to be named runner-up Kentucky Woman of the Year.
In 1978, the family moved from Cadiz to Oklahoma, where Carolyn took a position as Public Relations Consultant to the State Commissioner of Agriculture. Then, in the fall of 1981, they were transferred to Michigan, where Carolyn continued to take an active role in the community. She was a founding member of the Cranbrook School Athletic Booster Club, the high school where their son attended. She was also the Admissions Director for the Cranbrook Middle School from 1982-1984. After the loss of her beloved husband in 1992, she eventually returned to her roots in Kentucky, accepting a position with KET in Lexington as Marketing Director, where she concluded her long and successful career.
In her retirement, Carolyn found delight in the game of golf and cherished her role as “Gan” to her grandchildren. Though golf eventually gave way to other pursuits, she never lost her love for socializing and enjoying the company of her dear friends and continued to be a staunch Kentucky Wildcats fan until her passing.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William N. “Nat” Richardson, and her parents, Weldon Ray & Rosina Blane Campbell.
She is survived by her son, W. Blane Richardson, and his wife, Valerie, of Mount Pleasant, SC, and her grandchildren, Sophia, Luka, Noelle, and Chloe Richardson.
Graveside services, with Dr. Tom Martin officiating, will be at noon, Saturday, May 24, 2025, at East End Cemetery, where Carolyn always considered home.
Arrangements are being handled by Goodwin Funeral Home, Inc., 138 Main Street in Cadiz..
