Carolyn Bright (Teacher)

WALTERS, Carol C. Age 92, of Dayton, passed away March 29, 2013 in Hospitality House nursing home in Massillon Ohio. She was born July 25, 1920 in Washington DC., daughter to the late Harold and Emma (Brumbaugh) Clayton.

Carol graduated from Capital University in Columbus Ohio. She taught music for 30 years at Fairview and Colonel White High school and Northmont Junior High. She faithfully served the Lord as an active member of Mack Memorial Church of the Brethren, where she was the organist/choir director for 45 years. She has an extensive history of volunteer work, career achievements, and involvement in professional activities. These include being director of both the Dayton Music Club Chorus and Downtown Dayton Chiming Seniors hand bell choir, serving as president of the Montgomery County Retired Teachers Association and volunteering at the Veterans Administration. She was passionate about family, teaching and making music, composing, acquiring and sharing knowledge, traveling the world, volunteering, and spending quality time with her two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

She will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandma, great grandma, and an overall wonderful person. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Darwin Bright in 1967, second husband, Walter Gillette in 1982, third husband, Brooks Walters in 2007, and her sister Margaret (Peg) Lindeman. She is survived by two sons, Paul Bright of Canton, Dennis Bright of Dayton; two grandchildren, Melanie McGinnis of Canton, Jeremy Bright of Wadsworth, and three great grandchildren, Autumn, Miranda, and Daniel. Her wishes were to be cremated and her ashes will be buried in Dayton. Those wishing to send their condolences or share a fond memory may sign the Reed online guest book at www.reedfuneralhome.com.

Douglass Holdeman, Colonel White Class of 1964
Mr. DeVelbiss, Mr. Bradrick, and Mrs. Carol Bright. Now all are gone. They were the heart and soul of most of the great musicals presented at Colonel White. May their combined talents be reunited in heaven.

Stan Sullivan, Colonel White Class of 1961
I cherish my memories of many of my high school teachers, but none as fondly as Mrs. Bright. She was a beacon of light and joy for all of us fortunate enough to have known her. Choir was theonly class which I never stopped looking forward to, mainly because of her. Memories of her have and will live with me as long as I have breath and hopefully beyond.
Linda Courtney, Colonel White School of Performing Arts Class of 1966
Best teacher ever! I live for choir. I learned so much from Mrs. Bright and we were all blessed to have this remarkable woman for a teacher. Best memory is of her 80th birthday party reunion. I will never forget that night. Rest in peace Mrs. Bright.

Pam (Scott) Carr, Colonel White Class of 1967
Carol Bright was an outstanding music teacher! She was the perfect mix of strict; but loving. Through her hard work, she gave her students the opportunity to perform in amazing musicals (Camelot,for one) and ensembles; but more than that, she gave us a love of music that we carry with us and can pass on to the ones we love. Well done Carol…Rest in peace.

Ginnie Kramer Overberg, Colonel White Class of 1967
I have had a love of music because of Carol Bright…Girl’s Ensemble, Madrigal and Choir. She will be remembered with such fondness by name of us who were fortunate to have her as a teacher and inspiration at CWHS.

Patty Sorrell Thacker, Colonel White Class of 1969
I was blessed to get to take personal voice lessons from Ms. Bright for two summers. Those days being in her choir, were an opportunity of a life time. It was so good to see her at our 30th Class Reunion. She was an angel sent to Colonel White to instill the love of music in so many of us.

Gail Habecker
Mrs. Gillette (as she was known when I was in Choir and Madrigal,) was an amazing choir director. Under her leadership, Choir, won high awards at several choir festivals while I was at CWHS. I still participate in community choirs and owe my love of choral music to her. I also remember using her choir room as a refuge when the “riots” were going on at school.

Jim Hoops
She was an absolute gift in my life, and what she did for me and countless others will live forever.

Tim Hoover, Indianapolis, Indiana
It would be hard to overestimate Mrs. Bright’s influence on my high school years. From Choir to Madrigal Singers, to Camelot, she gave me a sense of belonging and boosted my self-confidence. This is the power of arts in school, I know; but Carol Bright was it’s exemplary and truly shining ambassador! I always answer the question, “Who was your favorite teacher?” with her name. She gave the gift of herself with he talent and passion for making music and her love of students. Her light shines on……

Thanks for your many years of service and dedication on behalf of the students of Colonel White High School.