Carol Rinehart

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Carol Frances Rinehart at age 85 on August 26, 2024.

Carol was born on June 28, 1939, in Columbus, Ohio to her parents Philip and Pauline. Her father, a Major in the U.S. Air Force who had served in World War II and Korea, was subsequently reassigned to a base in California, so the family moved west when Carol was about seven years old.

Carol loved animals, particularly horses and dogs. As a young woman living in California, she competed in show jumping, and recalled wearing full riding attire in temperatures that could reach 105 degrees! In fact, she loved riding horses so much that later in life she recalled dropping out of a graduate program in English so she could pursue her equestrian passion.

Carol also loved to read and write, and in the late 1960s, she enrolled in the University of California at Riverside, majoring in English, receiving her bachelor's degree in 1971. Carol particularly enjoyed reading British history and literature. She also enjoyed playing word games at the Benton House - Decatur Assisted Living Facility - where she lived the last few years of her life - and though she generally was modest, she bragged that she often won!

Carol had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel, often alone, both domestically and overseas. When she was 18, she took a road trip from California to Quebec City, Canada, driving on small roads that predated the development of the interstate highway system. After finishing college, she worked as a legal secretary at various law firms in California to support her travel habit. She particularly enjoyed trips to Scotland and Italy, and later in life, a train trip through the Canadian Rockies.

In the early 1980s, Carol accepted a job working in the U.S. House of Representatives, and moved from California to Washington, DC. She was a hard-worker and team player with a strong commitment to public service. She also developed a keen understanding of the inner workings of Congress, and over time, was given increasing responsibility for the Transportation Subcommittee's work on transportation safety. As a result, she played an important role in the passage of significant highway safety legislation, including the bill establishing the age 21 minimum legal drinking age (MLDA), which is credited with saving thousands of lives in the U.S. She was particularly proud of the work she did to improve traffic safety on Native American reservations, including helping to secure funds for various traffic safety initiatives. In addition to her work on Capitol Hill, she was active in the All-Souls Unitarian Church in DC, and in keeping with her love of animals, enjoyed visits to the Zoo in Washington, DC.

In 1994, Carol accepted a position as a Policy Analyst in the new National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and moved from Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA. Colleagues in the Injury Center described her as being a kind and gentle soul, but also a "whatever" and "whenever" kind of colleague. She not only excelled in her job but was well-liked among her colleagues and always had a smile on her face. One colleague recalled traveling with her to Washington, DC and being in awe about how respectfully Congressional staff treated her, as well as her insider knowledge of Congressional protocol. In addition to her work at CDC, Carol was active in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta (UUCA), enjoyed singing in the choir, and participated in a variety of other church activities.

After retiring from CDC, Carol devoted much of her energy to caring for dogs, often several at a time, some of which she owned and many of which she fostered. She was a regular volunteer at no-kill shelters but would also welcome stray dogs that she found or that otherwise found her. Later in life, when she could no longer own a dog, she would still delight in babysitting dogs owned by others and would become animated if she saw a dog walking by her, always reaching out to pet it or let it lick her hand.

Carol also loved listening to music. Later in life, her favorite group was the Pentatonix, and she regularly listened to them on YouTube. She also loved attending musical performances at Benton House - Decatur with her friends.

Carol was predeceased by her mother and father as well as her brother Philip O. Rinehart, Jr. Carol is survived by many friends, former colleagues at the CDC, neighbors, caregivers, and caring staff at the Benton House - Decatur. Interment was at the Honey Creek Woodlands in Conyers, GA.

The family will host a memorial service for Carol at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024 in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Best Friends Animal Society, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), or the charity of the donor's choice.