Carolyn Graham Gunn, 95, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2021 at Bickford of Suffolk Assisted Living where she has lived for the past several years. Carolyn was born in Danville, Virginia to the late Lee Jacob Graham and Mary Alice Gilliland. A longtime resident of Hampton Roads, she first worked at the Virginian Pilot in the late 1940’s where she met the love of her life, her late husband John Lindsey Gunn, Jr., (Jack ) They were married in 1950 in Ocean View and later settled in Mechanicsburg, PA until his death. She was also predeceased by her only sister, Mary Taylor Loving.

Carolyn was always a woman ahead of her time, a great defender of the underdog, a long-time fighter for equal rights and a woman of great style and intellect. She was an avid reader, a woman who loved to have a good time (she certainly knew her way around a cocktail) and who was loved by so many. Though she will be greatly missed, she leaves us all with wonderful memories of a life well-lived.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, M. Lindsey Gunn and George A. Welsh of Suffolk and more than 30 nieces and nephews including the children of her longtime partner, the late Edward H. Kavanaugh, Sr.; Edward H. Kavanaugh, Jr. (Jen) of Southern Shores, Patrick W. Kavanaugh (Georgette) of Norfolk, Eileen K. Meusel (Robert) of Virginia Beach and John W. Kavanaugh (Efren) of Los Angeles. A beautiful light has gone out, but she will continue to shine in all who loved her. Donations in her honor can be made to any local animal shelter. Cremation Society of Virginia (Chesapeake Office) is assisting the family.