Carol Hoskinson

Carol Rowe Hoskinson passed away after a long illness on January 3rd, 2022. Carol was born in Toledo, Ohio on March 10th, 1947. She was adopted as an infant by her loving parents Alice and Webster Rowe. Growing up, Carol lived with her family on a farm in Archbold, Ohio. She was the oldest of four children and loved her family fiercely. Carol excelled in school and sports. She was also an active member of her community.

Carol attended The Ohio State University and majored in Education. She sang in the University Chorus and it was there that she met the love of her life, Rick Hoskinson. She finished her under graduate degree in three years and they were married on June 8th, 1969. They moved to Atlanta shortly after and began their life together.

Carol was born to be a middle school teacher. After her move to Atlanta, she taught 6th grade in DeKalb County, first at Woodward Elementary and then as a member of the team that opened Austin Elementary School. During this time, she received her Master’s in Education at Georgia State University. She took eleven years off from teaching when her daughter Leah was born and returned to teach 7th grade science at Holcomb Bridge Middle School when Leah started 6th grade there. Throughout her teaching career, she was beloved by her co-workers, students and their parents, and she loved them back. She never forgot a student’s name and relished in maintaining relationships with them long after they left her classroom.

Carol was a leader and volunteer extraordinaire. She served as PTA President at Esther Jackson Elementary, she chaired the swim committee at The River Club, she was a mentor teacher, and she served as chairperson for numerous charitable organizations in Roswell. She was also the perfect hostess. Her parties were legendary and not to be missed. Her organizational skills were unmatched; she truly made balancing many things at once look easy.

Carol and Rick had one daughter, Leah, who was their pride and joy. They were as close a family as any could be. Carol was an amazing mother. She never missed an opportunity to be present and supportive. As Leah grew up, they became best friends and spent countless hours solving the word’s problems into the wee hours of the night. Those conversations remain one of the greatest gifts in their lives.

When Leah married Nick Humphries, Carol gained a son. Nick and Carol had a special relationship and often sought each other’s council. At the birth of her granddaughter Keeton, Carol fell in love all over again. She retired from teaching so she could watch Keeton two days a week. Their time together was priceless.

In 2015, Carol was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. It was a cruel twist of fate, especially since she was a person who never forgot a single detail. Her decline was incredibly difficult for all who loved her, but no more so than for her husband Rick. They had a love for the ages. After his passing, she declined rapidly and for the last several years was unable to recognize her family and dear friends. Those who loved her are grateful that she is no longer suffering, and believe that she and Rick are finally together, sharing sweet dances, in a place filled with love and light.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Charles Richard “Rick” Hoskinson and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Leah, Nick and Keeton Humphries; her sisters and brother, Rick’s sisters, their spouses and her nieces and nephews; and hundreds of amazing friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at 1 pm at Decatur Presbyterian Church. A celebration will immediately follow at the home of Leah and Nick Humphries. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends make contributions to support Decatur Education Foundation, 500 South Columbia Road, Decatur, Georgia 30030 (www.decatureducationfoundation.org/donate)