Carolyn Pinkard

Carolyn Jean McCallum Pinkard (Judy) went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 24 at Presbyterian Hospital due to lymphoma.

Judy was born on December 6, 1942 in Charlotte to the late Hubert A. McCallum, Sr. and Pauline McCallum. Judy is survived by her husband of 57 years, John (Jerry) Pinkard, a son John Pinkard of Indian Trail and a daughter Kristi Pinkard Young (Richard) of Mount Pleasant, SC. She is also survived by three very special granddaughters who called her Mimi: Brooke Young and Bailey Young of the home and Courtney Young of Kennett Square, PA. Judy was memorable to her family for the cards she would give at Birthdays and Christmas, both funny and serious. Judy was the last survivor of seven siblings. Her brothers were Hubert McCallum, Jr., Bill McCallum, James McCallum, David McCallum, Butch McCallum, and one sister Marion McCallum Heath. She also had many nieces and nephews who she was very fond of.

Judy was a native Charlottean and was a graduate of Harding High School in 1961 and earned an associates’ degree in childcare at CPCC. She loved working in childcare and daycare for more than thirty years at Calvary Church, Hickory Grove Baptist and other facilities. She often bought her own training materials to teach her kids. She loved the children she taught and they loved her. She understood small children and knew when to discipline them and when to love them. She and Jerry were members of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews for more than thirty years. She was always active in the ministries of the churches she belonged to, especially children’s ministries.

Judy traveled extensively, either with her sister Marion or with Jerry. She traveled cross country several times visiting all of the Western states as well as Canadian provinces. She visited most of the Western national parks including Yellowstone, Glacier, the Grand Canyon and others. She and Jerry also visited the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico and most of the Eastern states.

Judy loved sports. We had Panther tickets for many years until her mobility would not allow her to go. She enjoyed watching college and pro baseball and college football. It was a blessing to have a wife who enjoyed sports as much as I did.

Judy asked before her death to thank everyone for their cards, well wishes and most of all the prayers of her family, neighbors, friends at Christ Covenant and elsewhere. Jerry and the children also want to thank everyone. Judy had many dear friends at Christ Covenant and cherished being part of a loving and praying church that was faithful to the Gospel.

In lieu of flowers, people are encouraged to give to the HisAbilities Ministry at Christ Covenant Church for families with disabilities members or to the charity of their choice.

A funeral service for Carolyn will be held Monday, June 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Christ Covenant Church, 800 Fullwood Ln, Matthews, NC 28105. A cookie reception will follow at 11 am. A graveside service at 1:00 PM at Sunset Memory Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227.