Carolyn Balch Hearn

Farrar Funeral Home, Jefferson City

Carolyn Balch Hearn passed away on April 24, 2024 at the Life Care Center in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Carolyn graduated in 1974 from the University of Tennessee, where she played clarinet in the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, including the first time the band played Rocky Top. She was an active member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City, Tennessee, where she followed her passion for music by playing piano and singing in the choir. Professionally, she managed a grant writing company and raised millions of dollars for various charitable causes through her work. Everyone who met her was touched by her kindness and warmth. One co-worker referred to her as “the most encouraging, kind, professional, caring woman I’ve ever met”. She was always up for an adventure and loved visiting new places and trying new things. She maintained a close network of family and friends across the country, and she will be deeply missed.

Carolyn is survived by her loving husband Jim Hearn, son Ellison Berryhill (Megan), step-children J.M. Hearn III, Michelle Martin-Trotter, sister Jane Burns (Paul), brother Thad Balch (Nancy), nephews Taylor Mayfield, P.B. Burns, Nathan Balch, Dwayne Daniel (Joanie), niece Brandi England, and numerous other beloved family members. She is preceded in death by father Charles Duncan Balch, mother Anne Ellison Balch, and step-mother Ann Love Balch. The family would like to thank family and friends who have supported her and Jim during her battle these past months. The calls, cards, prayers, gifts, messages, and hours by her side enriched her life. Special thanks to the staff at the Jefferson City Life Care Center and her protective roommate and newest friend Brenda Webb.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee 721 Church Street, Jefferson City, Tennessee 37760. Receiving of friends will be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm with the service to begin at 4:00 pm. Interment will commence the following day, Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 2:00 at Union Cemetery 420 Mineral Street, Newport, Tennessee 37821.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Carolyn’s honor to Renovatus Recovery Community https://www.renovatusrc.org/, a program that Carolyn and Jim believe in and support.