Carolyn H. Reiffenstein, lovingly known as "Mom and Memaw", peacefully died on December 23, 2020.

Carolyn has run out of room in her house to put up another Christmas tree, so she went to Heaven to find more space.

She grew up around family, friends, church, and school in a loving and protective community that adored her and the innocent shenanigans she often was involved in.

Carolyn's love of her children, grandchildren, and friends was only matched by her love of coffee, potato chips, beer, the Fourth of July and Christmas.  She celebrated holidays with food, fun, and fireworks, and brought so much sparkle to our lives.

She worked very hard to be sure that no one around her ever had hurt feelings and was quick to apologize if she thought she had hurt someone.

Beginning 73 years ago friendships were formed that are still strong today.  Her "East Lake Girls" as she called them have been together through all that life has thrown at them from babyhood to sharing baby beds in the church nursery, exchanging tips on old age medicines and how to cover the gray.  These ladies have stuck together with Carolyn right in the middle of the circle of friends.

Through many other bonding friendship's she obtained by working at the Hamilton County Tag and Title Office, The Pool Place and Lowes.

Red! Fourth of July!  Christmas!  Fireworks!  Sparkles!  If you were around Carolyn for even a short time you knew these were some of her favorite things.  Gathering her family and friends around her to celebrate was one of her greatest joys.  Every holiday was done with a big splash with maximum fun!

Christmas trees were in every room. Her children will be searching for storage space for her twenty-five boxes of decorations.

Some of her happiest times were spent with her husband, Kurt, when they traveled in their RV across the country for months at a time. I believe Kurt's first words in Heaven to Carolyn were, "What took you so long?" I imagine he has the route all mapped out and the RV packed for showing her all over Heaven.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Kurt E. Reiffenstien. Her parents, Emma Ruby and Jesse Carl Haney, her sister, Bettye June Martinez, and her brother, Jesse Carl Haney, Jr.

She is survived by her children, John Kevin Cross (Tammy), Marcus Christopher Cross (Mary), Jennifer Cross-Brown (David), grandchildren, Samantha Riggs (Nick), Cody Cross, Hunter Cross, Jacob Galivan, Lacey Loy, Luke Loy, Parker Brown, Lauren Graefe (Rudy). Great grandchildren Walker and Wrenley Riggs. And many wonderful cousins.

A celebration of life to give Carolyn a send off that she would enjoy….there will be a memorial later on the river with  family and friends, food,  lots of fireworks, and of course….beer and potato chips.

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson (423) 531-3975.