Caroll Christensen Sommerville Eve Obituary (2020)

Carroll Christensen Sommerville Eve passed on to her Heavenly life on, June 27, 2020. She spent her life as a dedicated and loving mother who found great joy in the lives, accomplishments, and antics of her children and grandchildren. She taught us how to look for the good and humor in life and especially in others. She believed life was a gift and that we should always appreciate and value it. She lived her life simply, but with the grace and style of those from her generation. Born in Greenwich, Conn, on September 20, 1923, while her mother was visiting her sister, she was 6 weeks old before she came home to the town she would love and live in for most of her life. She attended Beaufort public schools and graduated in 1939 from Beaufort High School during the polio epidemic. From there, mother attended and graduated from the Women's College of the University of North Carolina in 1943 where she was associate editor of their weekly newspaper, the Carolinian, with a degree in fabric art. After graduation, Carroll worked at N.A.S.A in Langley Field, VA. But first, she spent a few weeks at home where she met and later married Tech Sgt. Donald Paul Sommerville, USMC, aviation. Over the next 15 years, they moved to numerous locations and had 5 children. In 1960, they divorced and she returned to her beloved Beaufort where she lived an active life. She especially loved traveling abroad. Mother worked the first 7 years for her cousin, Neils Christensen Surveying Co. as a draftsman. Realizing it wasn't the right career choice, she returned to college and received her second degree in Library Science. For the next 13 years, she was a librarian at Port Royal Elementary, Beaufort Elementary School, and finally Beaufort High School. In her spare time she belonged to numerous organizations: The Clover Club (Beaufort Literary Club which founded the Beaufort Library), and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Mayflower Society, and DAR. She was also involved in the Beaufort County Historical Society, Beaufort Elementary PTA, Beaufort Little Theater (where she designed and made all costumes for 10 years), the Episcopal Church Women, and Colonial Dames of the XVII Century all of which she was president. In 1985, God blessed her with Pinckney Eve, also a Beaufortonian, whom she married and happily lived with 30+ years. First living in VA, then Winston Salem, NC., and finally in 2013, settled once again in their beloved Beaufort. Pinckney sadly passed away 3 years ago, but we know they have been reunited in heaven. She attended and loved both St. Helena's Anglican Church of the Lowcountry and the Carteret Street Methodist Church. Mother lived her last days at her daughter's house with Kathryn and Paul there for her 24/7. She was at total peace with very little pain. Our heartfelt thanks to Caroline Hospice for assisting her to live for the past 2 years independently in her apartment next door to the house her father designed and built for her mother which just celebrated it's 100'th birthday. In the end, she was surrounded by those who loved her. Carroll Christensen Sommerville Eve was predeceased by two sons, Stuart M. Sommerville and Lawrence A. Sommerville and her husband, Pinckney Eve. She is survived by her son D. Paul Sommerville II (Ann), and daughters Kathryn Sommerville Mixon, Rose Prulx, daughter-in-law, Brenda Smoke Sommerville and step-daughters Sandra Eve, of Beaufort, and Will Eve of Richmond, VA. She has seven grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021 in the Parish Church of St. Helena at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, please give to Friends of Caroline Hospice at 1110 13th St., Port Royal, SC 29935 or charity of your choice in her name.