Carolyn Yvonne Beatty Newby Connor

On October 29, 1954, the journey of Carolyn Yvonne Beatty Newby Connor’s life began when she entered this world as the younger of two children, to the late George Jackson Beatty and Louise Carolyn Beatty Butler in Louisville, KY. Her older sister, Lucille Beatty Cunningham preceded her in death on January 10, 2023. Carolyn's earthly journey ended after an 11-year battle with cancer on Monday, May 22, 2023, when she peacefully made her heavenly transition surrounded by the love and light of her family. Carolyn’s upbringing was centered in a Christian home. During her childhood, she attended and was baptized at First Virginia Avenue Baptist Church under the late Rev. Dr. R.J. Miller. She started her musical career at the young age of 10 years old playing for Sunday School at her home church. Carolyn was educated in Jefferson County Public Schools and graduated from Male High School in 1972. While a proud Bulldog, Carolyn was a captain of the cheerleading team, a member of the homecoming court, and an outstanding student. She went on to graduate from the University of Louisville where she earned her bachelor’s in counseling and a master’s in education from Indiana Wesleyan University. Carolyn retired from the Jefferson County Public School system in 2013 while serving as the Maupin Elementary Magnet School Coordinator. Carolyn proudly served as an educator for over 20 years. Prior to becoming an educator, Carolyn was a district manager with Mammoth/Atlanta Life Insurance Company for more than a decade. God introduced Carolyn to her husband, Barry Lee Connor, more than 35 years ago. They have two children from their union: Avonne Elish Connor and Alexandria Louise Connor. Carolyn always said her greatest accomplishment was being a mother to her two girls. While Carolyn was passionate about her career as an educator, she was also fervent about her calling as a minister of music. Throughout her musical career, she served as the minister of music for churches throughout Louisville and the state of Kentucky. Music was Carolyn’s vehicle for encouraging, affirming, and deeply connecting with others. As a constant source of inspiration and joy, her music exemplified God’s love for all people. Everything Carolyn did she did with a spirit of excellence that led to many firsts. During her undergraduate career, she was named the first Miss Black UofL in 1975 and went on to compete in several local pageants, including the Miss Kentucky Pageant. Carolyn’s beauty radiated from the inside out gaining the attention of national magazines and modeling agencies. Carolyn’s legacy as a fearless trailblazer continued over her lifetime. In her various professional capacities, she was always a leader. Carolyn was one of the few women managers in the life insurance industry and was the inaugural magnet school coordinator for Maupin Elementary School. She came from a lineage of powerful, high-achieving, Black women and instilled that legacy in her children, nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many others. Colossians 3:23-24 23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Arrangements: Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church located at 3640 Cane Run Rd. Louisville, KY 40211 Visitation with family: 11 am-12 pm Memorial Service: 12 pm Flowers should be delivered to Mt. Vernon on Saturday, June 3rd. In support of the ongoing fight against cancer, the Connor family is raising awareness and support in honor of Carolyn. Click the link below to donate today. https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/index.cfmfuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=9291

Carolyn Yvonne Beatty Newby Connor

October 29, 1954 - May 22, 2023