Carol Montgomery

Carol Montgomery, 90, of Newport, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at home.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church in Atlantic Beach.

Carol Montgomery was born on March 12, 1936, to Hazel and James Lemmon in Kansas City, Kansas. Her parents divorced when she was young, so she spent most of her childhood living with her grandparents Fred and Ida Pepperdine, except during World War II, when she lived with her “Rosy the Riveter" mother in California.

Carol’s time growing up with her grandparents was surrounded by extended family and horses. She loved to talk about listening to the radio, her grandmother baking, and making jams. Her grandmother would push pedals on the player piano and they would sing. Other memories she shared were about how they would make ice cream from snow and how she would love climbing trees. Her favorite memory of her grandfather was how she would sit on the back of his chair with her legs dangling on his chest and brush his hair. Her favorite memory of her grandmother was in the kitchen kneeling on a chair and helping roll out pastry dough. She also enjoyed babysitting her cousins Bruce and Larry. Holidays consisted of so many relatives that the table was long boards on saw horses. There were large family reunions in a park each July. Once she accidentally dated a distant cousin until they ran into each other at a family reunion.

Carol’s parents took turns spending time with her on the weekends. Her mother would take her to the circus, musicals, and any big event that came to Kansas City. Her father took her camping, swimming and fishing on the lake.

At age 15, Carol met the love of her life, Bob. She took a job selling hosiery at a shoe store, and he was there selling shoes. The first thing she noticed about him was his eyelashes. She said they were the longest eyelashes she had ever seen. They attended the same high school and started dating. After high school, Bob attended a Junior college and then the Marine Corps. They married when Carol just turned 19, and they were stationed at Cherry Point, NC. After serving in the Marine Corps, they moved to Ohio where Bob served in the Air National Guard.

This is where they started a family in Maumee, Ohio. They had two daughters, Pam and Kim. Carol was a fantastic homemaker, school volunteer, and church volunteer. She kept a loving home where kids would flock to just to spend time with her.

When the girls were teenagers, their friends would argue over who would talk to her next, so they had to take numbers. She would cook for numerous people on a weekly basis and always had a sympathetic ear. She was a wise counselor who made everyone feel like they were part of the family. She did take some time for herself too and became an excellent golfer.

After the Air Guard, Bob owned a convenience store, driving range, golf club building/repair shop and flew charters. In 1980, Bob tired of Ohio weather and the girls were out of school, so he sold his multiple businesses and moved back to North Carolina to work at the Naval Aviation Depot at a Marine Corps base. This was the same base they were stationed at in 1955.

At age 44, Carol started a new life in North Carolina by playing golf, bridge, and volunteering. She was Bogue Banks club champion many years in a row. She also enjoyed nightly walks on the beach with Bob after dinner. When the grandchildren were born, she enjoyed spoiling them to her heart's content. She thought all her grandkids were perfect. She traveled with Bob around the world and enjoyed cruises with friends. She was an active church volunteer and also volunteered at Martha’s Mission food bank. She decorated Kim’s classroom each year at Broad Creek Middle School and was at her grandchildren’s beck and call. She hosted many holidays and made everyday seem special.

Carol’s faith was a firm foundation. She raised her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in the church. She attended countless Bible Studies and taught the most difficult Sunday School classes. She also had the loudest class, but they always learned the most. Carol never tired of being a student of her faith and continued attending Sunday School and Bible Study even when she was 90.

Carol leaves behind her daughter, Pam and her husband Bob Johns, daughter, Kim and her husband Malcolm Condie; grandchildren: Rob Condie, Shelley Condie, Tim Condie, Jenny Johns, Christy Penman, Andrew Penman, Juniper Johns, and James Oestreich. Also, she leaves her beloved great grandchildren: Jackson Condie, Weston Condie, Ransom Penman and Robin Penman.

She will be greatly missed, but leaves behind a strong legacy of love that will carry on for countless generations.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.