Carolyn Marie Cain

Carolyn Marie Cain, late of Westminster Oaks, Tallahassee, FL, died September 24, 2020, at age 76 from natural causes. Carolyn was born January 21, 1944, in Barnstable, Massachusetts and spent her early childhood in Tucker, Georgia, moving to Tallahassee in 1955. She was adored by both of her parents and extended family members. Carolyn graduated from Leon High School in 1962 and studied Religion at Florida State University and remained a lifelong Seminole fan. After college, Carolyn worked at a jewelry store, which she enjoyed very much. Her career began soon after that at the Florida Department of Management Services, where she worked from 1977 to 1998. She had the honor of being the Statewide Coordinator for Florida’s State Awards Program (the Meritorious Awards Program). It was here that she met her beloved husband, Gerald (Jerry) Snyder, with whom she spent 25 happy years. While Carolyn was very proud of her career at DMS and of her husband, Jerry, she was most passionate about animals, racial freedom, and equality. In 2011 she went on a mission to Nairobi, Kenya for the purpose of supporting young girls in getting an education. This mission was life changing for Carolyn, as she not only stayed in touch with several of the families she met, but she also continued to encourage them in their studies for the rest of her life. In particular, Carolyn nurtured a little girl that stole her heart, Phanice Amadi, who she stayed in very close contact with and was very proud of. Carolyn was also a staunch supporter of the LGBTQI community, volunteering at many Tallahassee Pride events, as she shared her support in equality for all. Carolyn’s passion for animals began early in her life with her Grandfather Thomas Cain’s dog Fleet, with whom she spent many happy hours playing with. In Carolyn’s home there are many photos of her beloved dog Angie, who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge late last year. Outside her window hang bird feeders, where she so enjoyed watching the many birds come to feast daily. Carolyn supported animal rights and loved all animals great and small. She loved her friends too and was a member of a Women’s Life Group and Reading Group, often entertaining friends at home as they held lively discussions across many, many different topics. Carolyn was also passionate about politics and volunteered at events at the state and local level. Her spiritual home was The United Church in Tallahassee, where she spent many a happy hour in worship with dear friends that meant so much to her. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Virginia Cain, her little brother Charles Cain, Jr., and her late husband, Gerald Snyder, all of Tallahassee, FL. She is survived by her step children, A. Cecilia of Washington, D.C. and son Gerald R. (Lisa), grandson, Gerald K. and granddaughter, Amanda K. of Philadelphia, Pa., Carolyn’s sisters Charmane Stevenson and Sylvia Eder of Knoxville, TN., their children Ashley (Dan) Caudill, Lindsie (Clint) Griffin, Autumn (Gary) Bogus, Amber (Kelly) Herndon, grandnephews Kaleb Griffin, Cameron Bogus, Noah Herndon, grandnieces Claire Caudill, Morgan Herndon, children from Carolyn’s first marriage Marilou Lehmann (Becky), Frederick Lehmann (Katrina), grandchildren Jerry and Amanda of Milton,FL., and goddaughter Jessica Hall. Carolyn is also mourned by her first cousins Vernelle Parker and family, Martha Atterberry and family, second cousins Melanie Skinner, Jaynie and Sasha Moroe of Charlotte, N.C. The family wishes to especially thank Carolyn’s close friends who helped care for her over the past few years, Susan Allen, Lucy Bear and Sonia Hall. Carolyn will be interred in the Cain family plot at Melwood Cemetery, Stone Mountain, GA on October 17, 2020. The family will plan a Celebration of Life Service for 2021 in Tallahassee, FL. Please send any memories, poems, or photos, to Cecilia at cecysnyder@gmail.com, so that we may include them in this upcoming special program. To honor Carolyn’s life, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to: Kakenya’s Dream (www.kakenyasdream.org), or Equality Florida (www.eqfl.org). Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com)

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Carolyn Marie Cain

January 21, 1944 - September 24, 2020