Carolyn Utley

Carolyn Sue Akin Utley, daughter of Robert E. Lee Akin and Janie Fields Akin, was born on August 8, 1941, in Beebe, Arkansas. She graduated from Beebe High School in 1959 and married her late husband, Kenneth Lee Utley, in 1962.

In high school, Carolyn enjoyed playing on the basketball team. Later, she met her husband, Ken Utley, and the two were married on May 4, 1962, at Beebe Nazarene Church. Carolyn was a homemaker, chauffeuring her children to baton lessons and baseball practice. She then worked for the Beebe Public Schools as a lunchroom lady, even though she was not particularly known for her cooking. She was baptized as a Christian on August 11, 1996, at First Assembly of God in North Little Rock. Carolyn volunteered at the Beebe Christian Outreach Center, drove Mable to her hair appointments every Friday, and friends to other activities such as bingo. She always made sure her children got to spend time with their long-distance family. She had a great love for line dancing, filling her house with collected antiques and family photos, dressing up for any occasion, and never forgetting her signature red lipstick. She was a lifetime member of Eastern Star and was Worthy Matron in 1995 with her husband as Worthy Patron for the local Beebe Chapter 248. In her later years, she attended Union Valley Baptist Church. She lived a long and full life, and her family and friends will miss her greatly.

She passed away peacefully at the age of 84. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Utley (who died in 1997); and one brother, Bobby Akin.

She is survived by her siblings, Buddy Akin of Beebe and Wanda Williams of Germantown, Tennessee; her children, Tammy (Joe) Goeke of Mountain Home and Ricky (Melanie) Utley of Beebe; her grandchildren, Mackinzie Goeke (Canon Cothran) of Oklahoma City, Madison (Jared) Green of Mountain Home, Sawyer Utley of North Little Rock, and Samuel, Sophia Grace, Sarah Katherine, Spencer, Shepherd, Slade, and Sicily Rose Utley, all of Beebe; and her great-grandchild, Oliver Green of Mountain Home.

A visitation service will be held at Smith Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Beebe, Arkansas on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 in the evening. Funeral service will be held Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10:00 in the morning at Smith- Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel with a graveside service to follow. Friends and family are invited to gather in remembrance of Carolyn’s well-lived life. www.smithfamilycares.com