Carole Stipe Ezzell was a devoted wife, matchless mother, loving grandmother and compassionate human. She left this world suddenly on August 6, 2021 at the age of 69 at her home in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

Carole was born July 31, 1952 in Atlanta, GA to Carl and Dorothy Stipe. She grew up in Decatur, GA and graduated from Lakeside High School in 1970. She studied at Georgia Southern University before leaving school to begin a career as an administrative assistant. Her keen attention to detail and mastery of writing and communications made her an indispensable asset wherever she went; from the halls of DeKalb (Perimeter) College in the nursing department to working with top lawyers in downtown Decatur, her professional contributions were numerous.

A creative spirit, Carole was a prolific artist, writer and poet. She was deeply moved by nature, drawing inspiration from her 24-acre home in Hartwell, GA, where she and Edward lived for many years before retiring to coastal North Carolina. There, the ocean called to her and was the subject of many paintings and poems in recent years. Though not a musician, music was essential to Carole throughout her life – from Crosby, Stills & Nash to Carole King, she was deeply moved by music. One of her greatest joys was to enjoy live music on Saturday nights with Edward.

Carole experienced a life-altering accident at the age of 15, suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in an automobile accident. She struggled to deal with the untoward effect of her near-fatal injury her entire life. She worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the difficulties that TBI survivors face, writing articles for the Brain Injury Association of Georgia and speaking to support groups. She also mentored and provided support to other survivors.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 37 years, Edward Ezzell; daughter Kelly Holland Vrtis (Matt); stepsons Bazz Ezzell (Audrea) and Jon Ezzell (Carrie); sister Susan Stipe Shupak (Neil); brother Carl E. Stipe III. (Claudia). She also leaves behind grandchildren Amelia and Franklin (Vrtis); Anna, William, Noah, Maggie and Owen (Ezzell); Adeline, Eli and Claire (Ezzell); one great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Carole’s beautiful life will be held on Wednesday August 11 at 2:00 pm Brunswick Funeral Home, Shallotte, NC. A private burial service will immediately follow. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family would sincerely appreciate a donation to the Brain Injury Association of Georgia (https://www.braininjurygeorgia.org/) in Carole’s memory. “Keepeth the Faith”

Masks and social distancing will be observed.

Online condolences may be made at www.brunswickfuneralservice.com

Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte