Carol Evelyn Martin Satterfield was born in Maryville on March 25, 1949. She died at home on May 9, 2024, following long treatment for a recurrence of throat cancer. She was born in Blount County and in childhood lived in the Chilhowee Mountains, at Butterfly Gap. She loved the Smokies all her life. The mountains were where she saw her first hummingbird and her first lady's slipper orchid. She pictured the Chilhowee Gap when she read Psalm 121, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills." The mountains were the place she meant when she said "home."

Carol loved Tennessee history and spent years researching family genealogy. She was proud to descend from Blount County's Scots-Irish pioneers—Burchfields, Everetts, Ogles, Gardiners, and Strouds—some of whom were early Cades Coves settlers. She was proud, too, of her Griffin and Nelson forebears from Valdosta, Georgia. Her family tree included soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, and near the end of her life she traveled to Shiloh Battlefield to honor one who died in the defense of Union. She repeated often her commitment to "preserve the legacy," or keep alive the memory of those who came before and made us who we are.

A middle child of six, born into an unstable household and raised in humble circumstances, Carol dreamed from childhood of going to college. She excelled in school and won a scholarship to Maryville College, later earning her bachelor's degree from University of South Carolina. At the age of fifty, she received her master's from Clemson University.

Carol's career at IBM took her from an entry-level position in the Greenville, South Carolina, branch office to upper management in the regional headquarters, in Washington, D.C, where she won many awards. The second half of her career was at Interim HealthCare, where for twenty years she was human resources director and a member of the executive management team. She taught leadership development courses and relished mentoring younger employees.

Upon retiring, Carol and her husband Don returned to Blount County, where she rejoiced in being back among her close family and childhood friends. She reconnected with many cousins, a group that seemingly included half of Maryville. A lifelong gardener, she studied to become a certified master gardener. She and Don traveled the country as RV campers.

Kind and generous to a fault, Carol was the person she hoped herself to be—sister, mother, wife, grandmother, beloved friend. She was nurturing and self-sacrificing. She gave to others rather than to herself. She planted flowers and trees. She taught her children and grandchildren to sew, garden, and cook. She lifted those who worked for her and encouraged everyone to do well and to be good. She committed countless hours every year to making Christmas gifts rich with personal meaning.

Her joy was her children and grandchildren. Her rock was husband Don. She was happy in her garden, and watching the birds, and seeing her beloved mountains in the distance.

She will be missed so deeply by all of us whose lives she brightened.

Survivors include loving husband Don Satterfield, whom she met at their 40th high school reunion. To him, she says, "It took 40 years to find you in the wilderness. Thank you for bringing me back home to my beloved Tennessee. I love you forever." Sons Kevin West and Shayne Satterfield (Cristina). Daughters  Stephanie Brummett (Trent) and Alicia Freed (Sebastian). Grandchildren Savannah Crow, Kiana Martin, Ryleigh Brummett, Emma Satterfield, Alonso Satterfield, Brothers Bill Stroud, Eddie Martin, David Martin, Mike Martin (deceased), Rodney Martin (deceased). Nieces and nephews of whom she was always so proud. Predeceased by mother Jean Stroud Martin Warren, stepfather Jack Warren, and father Clarence Martin.

Raised Baptist, Carol was a congregant of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Funeral service will be held 7:00 PM Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Miller Funeral Home, Magnolia Chapel, Rev. Dr. Judy Bullock officiating.  Interment will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday at Pine Grove Cemetery in Greenback.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Tuesday at Miller Funeral Home, Maryville.