Carolyn Shull

A stranger to none and a friend to all, Carolyn Cronan Shull found her final resting place on December 19, 2020. Born in Dyersburg, Tenn. to Cecil and Davie B. Cronan on January 1, 1934, Carolyn graduated from Ridgely High School in 1952. She then attended Stephen’s College for Women in Columbia, Mo., transferring to The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education. After teaching in Florida and returning to both Memphis and Nashville for 13 years, she then devoted 25 more years of service to the Lake County School system. She touched many lives in her 38 years of teaching. “When you love people, it opens up your life to become part of the lives of others,” she said. She believed that if she loved God the way he has loved her, she would be of service to her fellow man.

Carolyn married her best friend, Jerry Mac Shull of Ridgely in 1974. Together, they welcomed all into their home. “I love people, therefore I am a talker,” she would say. A former Teacher of the Year, “Ms. Carolyn,” as she was affectionally called, kept in touch with many of her students well into their adulthood. While they had no children, the Shull’s looked after all they knew as their own. An avid reader and puzzle-solver, Carolyn’s shelves were filled with books, one always to be found on the side table in the kitchen or living room.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Mac Shull and her parents, Cecil and Davie B. Cronan. She is survived by her sister, Anne Brady Cronan Welch (Jack) of Bristol, Tenn. numerous nieces and nephews, many of the children she has taught, and untold friends.

Carolyn was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church of Ridgely, and the family requests memorials be directed there (120 Church Street, Ridgely, Tenn. 38080) or Reelfoot Rural Ministry (6923 Minnink Elbridge Road, Obion, Tenn. 38240).

Due to the families concern for the safety of others, funeral services for Carolyn Shull will be private. 

The family request memorials be directed to the Ridgely Senior Center, 136 S. Main Street, Ridgely, TN 38080

We are privileged and honored to serve the Shull family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.