Carol Ditterline Garland

Carol Garland was surrounded by her family when she was lifted up into the arms of her Lord on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at the age of 75.

Born on July 30, 1946, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Carol was the daughter of the late Lt. Col. Roy E. Ditterline, USAF (Ret.) and Clydie Ditterline. The family briefly lived in Ohio before settling in San Antonio, Texas, where she graduated from McArthur High School. She grew up in a patriotic home with strong military roots. This love of country was instilled in her from a young age and she was a proud American. She attended San Marcus University for a few years before transferring to Georgia College in Milledgeville where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1968. That next school year, she began her long and dedicated teaching career, starting at Robins Elementary School at Robins Air Force Base. She taught there for a year before transferring to New Era Elementary School in Sumter County but came back to the base a year later. Being reared in a military family influenced Carol to give back to her country by devoting herself to a career of educating military dependents. She taught third grade at Robins Elementary until 2008 when the school closed and she retired.

Retirement didn’t slow her down as she began substitute teaching for Lake Joy Primary School. Carol was a supporter of the military and assisted children whose parents were deployed. She was very passionate about her country and the troops.
Carol passed down her legacy of teaching to both of her daughters, who became teachers and work for the Houston County School District. Not only was she a teacher at the schools, she also was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she taught children’s liturgy. Carol was a longtime member of the Bell Ringers, a close-knit group of former teachers from Robins Air Force Base who met each month to reminisce about their teaching days.

Not only did Carol teach for 40-plus years, but she was a committed military wife and mother to her three children. Her patriotism came naturally as her father was in the Air Force and she continued that tradition with David. She met her husband, David, by chance. Carol was a bridesmaid at a friend’s wedding and David was an usher for the groom. The pair met at the rehearsal dinner and the rest is history. They were married on August 9, 1969 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Macon.

In her spare time, Carol was an avid bowler, a fantastic cross stitcher and enjoyed water aerobics. She was also a backup softball player for the church team but only when the team was short a player. Carol would be relegated to right field as she often threw underhand and one time the ball ended up going backwards! Although not the best player on the softball diamond, she was a great cheerleader who was always there to support her children and grandchildren at their sporting events.

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Billy Reynolds.

Left to treasure Carol’s memory are her husband of 52 years David Garland of Kathleen; son, Matt Garland (Charlotte) of Warner Robins and their children, Tucker Garland, Ansley Garland, Mary Clark Garland, and Charlie Garland; daughter, Amy Shepherd (Todd) of Kathleen, and their children, Chandler Shepherd, Hayley Shepherd, and Will Shepherd; daughter, Christy Garland (Mike Behnke); sisters, Judy Reynolds and Nancy St. John (Robert); and several nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be said on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. with visitation following until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Monsignor Fred Nijem and Deacon Jim Hunt will officiate the Rosary. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Carol will be laid to rest at a graveside service on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Andersonville National Cemetery with Monsignor Fred Nijem officiating. For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

The family will accept flowers, or memorial donations may be made in Carol’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Learn more about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at www.mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.

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