Carol Joanne Bennett Garber Kearsley: April 18, 1934 – September 16, 2026
ST. HELENS- Carol was astonishing. She was a pilot, a businesswoman, a devoted wife, and a loving aunt. Elegant, independent, strong-willed, and ahead of her time. A cosmopolitan city girl who grew up on a farm and, in the end, returned back to that same plot of land where she began.
Carol was born on April 18, 1934. She passed away on September 16, 2026, at the age of 92.
Carol was born to Earl and Olive Bennett and raised on the Bennett farm, down Bennett Road. Growing up, she spent every possible moment at her Daddy’s side, learning everything she could about life and how to navigate the world. Carol shared her childhood and that beautiful farm with two sisters, one older – Barbara, and one younger – Helene. She also had an older brother from her father’s first marriage – Billy, who died as a Prisoner of War while serving in the Philippines during WWII.
Carol married Bill Byrum in August of 1957. He left almost immediately to serve in the Korean War. Bill survived the war, but their marriage did not, and they later divorced.
Carol was smart and organized, with a brilliant mind for finance and design. She could remember the price of something she had bought decades earlier and kept every receipt for everything she’d ever purchased or sold. She worked in Dr. Zeschin’s office, at the paper mill office, for Public Finance in their St. Helens office and later in their Portland office. She sold small aircraft in Boise, Idaho, owned and managed several rental properties, and spent 30-plus years as a designer at Garber Lighting in Portland.
It was there that she met James Garber, whom she later married. In retirement, they moved back to the farm to care for the house that her daddy had built by hand in 1930.
After Jim’s death in 1998, Carol continued to live on the farm. She volunteered for the Sheriff’s office, helping abused women, and signed up to be an emergency foster parent whenever needed. In 2000, Carol became the foster mom to a beautiful little five-month-old girl named Brianna. Carol kept her safe and loved for nearly 5 years, and it was a rewarding experience for her, as she had never been blessed with children of her own.
On June 28, 2008, she and Dewey Kearsley married and made the old farmhouse their new home for 16 years. Those years were the happiest years of her life.
Dewey passed away in 2024, and Carol lived alone for the remainder of her life. Her nieces, Phyllis and Martha, cooked meals, provided company, and spent countless hours serving not only Carol but also their own mother, Barbara, and brother, Mark. Marianne Opdahl was Carol’s closest confidant and friend in her final years, and her family will be forever grateful for her tender, careful care. So many more loving people came and checked in and visited and loved and provided. Carol seemed to have friends everywhere she went– thank you.
Carol spent the last nine weeks of her life at Hillview Adult Care Center in Scappoose, OR, where she received loving and personal care. We would like to thank those diligent caregivers and her team at Bristol Hospice for providing for her every need in such a tender time.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband, H. Dewey Kearsley; her sister, Barbara Rose Thompson; her brother, Willard Earl Bennett; and her parents, Earl Homer Bennett and Olive Walker Bennett.
She is survived by her sister Helene Crosland of Provo, UT, along with many nieces and nephews who will hold her memory dear.
The family wishes to express thanks and appreciation to the family, staff, caregivers, and many friends who filled Carol’s last months with so much love.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 4:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel. 2755 Sykes Rd. St Helens, OR.
