Rosa GwinNette “Gwin” Fitzgerald Carver, age 89 of Douglas, died on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas.
Gwin Carver was a member of First United Methodist Church in Douglas where she was an active member, and served as a leader in many areas of ministry. Gwin organized the first weekday Kindergarten program in 1966, when her daughter, Jane, was in the first class, and continued as chairperson of the Kindergarten committee for 12 years. She also organized the first weekday nursery program for four year olds in 1971, when her daughter, Julie, was in the first class. Later, the church started a Preschool program for three year olds.
Gwin’s other church leadership positions included: Children’s Department Superintendent, UMYF Counselor, Children’s Sunday school teacher, and assistant Wedding Liaison director. She was the first chairperson of the Council on Ministries, the president and treasurer of the United Methodist Women, and was a member of the Administrative Council, the Trustees Committee, the Parsonage Committee, and the Card Outreach Committee. She also served on the set-up committee for Family Night Suppers.
Beyond Gwin’s service to the church, she chaired various committees for community projects. She was an organizer of the Douglas Junior Women’s Club in the 1960’s and served as the Club’s first president.
Gwin was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Bruce Carver, who died on December 24, 1994. She is survived by two daughters: Dr. Jane (Billy) Kimbrel of Perry and Julie (David) Laufer of Jacksonville, Fla..; five grandchildren, Abbyjane Kimbrel Pearce (William) of Leesburg, Robert Bruce Kimbrel (Paige) of Atlanta, Ryan Thomas Morris of Douglas, Catherine Kimbrel Bond (Marc) of Lawrenceville, Sloan Dillon Jowers of Douglas; and two great-granddaughters, Rayla Brae Morris of Douglas and Eva Lee Kimbrel of Lexington, Ken.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m on Friday, December 27, at First United Methodist Church in Douglas. Rev. Doug Walker, Rev. Benjy Varnell, Rev. James Duke, and Rev. Billy Kimbrel (son-in-law) will officiate. Interment will follow at the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are: Robert Bruce Kimbrel, Ryan Morris, Sloan Jowers, Marc Bond, William Pearce and Randall McCook. Honorary pallbearers are: Douglas First United Methodist Church Whitfield Sunday School Class, and the Keenager Group.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church Preschool Program.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.