Carolyn Matusek Obituary

Carolyn Simmons Matusek, age 81, of Shelbyville, passed peacefully from this life on July 16, 2025, while under the skillful care of the nurses at The Heart Remembers along with her loving family.
She was born on October 14, 1943, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, to the late Ezra (E.G.) and Pauline "Polly" McNabb Simmons. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved aunts, Marie McNabb Hoover, Nannie Brown "Brownie" McNabb, and Alberta McNabb Morris, and her uncle, Lloyd McNabb.
Carolyn was a proud graduate of Shelbyville Central High School, Class of 1961, and went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State College in 1965 and master's degree in 1967, with a focus in Home Economics and Education.
Her professional career began at Shelbyville Central High School, where she taught Home Economics and sponsored the Future Homemakers of America (FHA) club. She was passionate about teaching life skills-sewing, cooking, decorating, and hosting with grace. She especially enjoyed teaching her students how to set both formal and informal tables and how to carry themselves with confidence. Her love for teaching and nurturing young women left a lasting legacy and, in that process, she formed lifelong relationships with many of her students.
In 1973, Carolyn left the classroom to oversee two of the family businesses, Simmon's Jewelers and Carolyn's Dress Shop, after the sudden passing of her father. With this major life change, Carolyn embraced the world of merchandising and entrepreneurship. She had a natural eye for style and elegance and brought her love of fashion into her work. Her fashion shows became well-known in the community and were often featured in Women's Club events and sorority fundraisers, reflecting her gift for merging business with community service.
Carolyn's interests extended beyond her work she enjoyed creating floral arrangements, needlepoint, and antiques. She was an avid alumna, booster, and fan of sporting events of the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders. Her life's greatest treasure has always been her family, especially her grandsons who were her pride and joy.
She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church and an active participant in many civic and social organizations, including Rotary International, the Shelbyville Woman's Club, Garden Club, and the Beta Iota Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha.
Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband of sixty years, Tony Matusek; sons, Mike (Karisa) Matusek of Shelbyville and Chris Matusek of Nolensville; and three beloved grandchildren, Ean, William, and Andrew.
Due to Carolyn's passion in fostering and encouraging education of young people, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either the Greg Garner Scholarship at First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 699, Shelbyville, TN 37162, or the annual scholarship fundraiser through Beta Iota Chapter of Epsilon Sigman Alpha.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Woodbury, TN.
Visitation will be held Sunday, prior to funeral services, starting at 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.
www.doakhowellfuneralhome.com
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