On Wednesday, January 23, 2013, Carolyn Garris, 39, died from a pulmonary embolism. She did have a stomach virus which led to her becoming dehydrated and was taken to the hospital where she died shortly afterwards.

Carolyn’s husband, Jody Garris, had been called as Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Conway, S.C., and was to be examined for ordination by Palmetto Presbytery on January 24.

In an e-mail sent to members of Palmetto Presbytery, Grace Presbyterian Church Ruling Elder Sidney MacIntyre wrote:

In case you haven’t heard: Jody Garris’ wife Carolyn had been ill for several days, was dehydrated and Jody took her into the hospital around noon. Very unexpectedly, she then died around 1 p.m. Of course, this means Jody will not be available for examination at Presbytery tomorrow.

All at Grace in Conway are extremely saddened as are all those at Faith in Florence. Michael Waters contacted me around 3 p.m with the tragic news. Please ask for special prayers for Jody and his 4 children tomorrow. Grace church will want all wisdom to know how to best help Jody through this awful blow.

In Christ (the name above all others).

A brief statement was prepared by Richard Hodges:

Carolyn Koonce Garris was born in 1974. She was the wife of Joseph “Jody” F. Garris, II and the mother of four children. She and her family lived in Effingham, S. C. She was a former resident of Fredericksburg, Va.  She was a graduate of West Florence High School in Florence, the class of 1992. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a loving wife and mother. (This is an abbreviated and temporary biographical sketch that will be completed at a future date.)

The memorial service for Carolyn Garris will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 700 Park Avenue, Florence, S.C. at 11 a.m. Sat., Jan. 26, 2013.

Jody Garris graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C. Grace PCA and the Palmetto Presbytery ask the prayers of fellow believers for Jody and his four children, ages 4-13.