Born Fannie Carolyn Bosarge and known throughout her life as Carolyn, she passed away on
September 14, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 89, following a stroke. She was a long time resident of the Sanford and Lake Mary area, and at the time of her death her home was in Lake Mary, Florida.

Carolyn was born December 21, 1936, in Pecan, Mississippi, the daughter of Charles Person Bosarge and Saima Sofia Saksa Bosarge. Her father was a fisherman and died in an accident when Carolyn was only four months old. She was raised by her mother, with the great help of her Uncle Willie Saksa and her Aunt Fannie Seaman, and was frequently assisted by her oldest sister Annie and Annie's husband, Clarence McGowen, as well as a loving extended family. Carolyn grew up in Pecan and later attended Moss Point High School in Moss Point, Mississippi.

One story Carolyn liked to tell was of a Christmas at Annie and Clarence McGowen's home. Annie and Clarence had bought a pedal car for their eldest daughter, who was four years younger than Carolyn. Her legs were too short to reach the pedals, so the car became Carolyn's and was a treasured possession for some years.

From an early age, Carolyn possessed the qualities that would define her throughout her life: kindness, gentleness, patience, wit, and the quiet grace of a classic Southern lady. One of the stories often told about Carolyn began when she was only ten years old. She met a sixteen-year-old boy named Nathaniel "Nat" Richburg, gave him her photograph, and told him that some day she would marry him. Then she literally ran away from him. She was right about the marriage.

Carolyn and Nat met again some seven years later and went on a double date—but not with each other. They ended the evening together, however. Carolyn and Nat were married on December 20, 1954, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Their marriage lasted more than 52 years, until Nat's death on September 13, 2007. Together they built a life centered around family, home, hard work, and the many interests they shared.

Carolyn and Nat were avid collectors and loved antiques. Nat amassed a collection of more than 120 antique snuff bottles, while Carolyn especially enjoyed collecting Fenton glass and glass Christmas ornaments. Many of her Fenton pieces eventually became part of the collection displayed throughout her kitchen. They also loved the work of local artists and collected many original paintings. Carolyn and her niece Kay McGowen Diaz became known for their road trips across the country in search of antiques, always looking for their next treasure.

Family trips were another important part of Carolyn's life. She and Nat enjoyed baseball and Spring Training, spent family time at their beach condo in New Smyrna Beach, and later in life she made annual trips to the Florida Keys with relatives and friends. These trips, like so many of Carolyn's favorite activities, were less about the destination than about spending time with the people she loved.

Carolyn devoted her life to her family and home. She was a homemaker, but that simple title does not begin to describe all that she did. She was a wonderful cook and baker, an avid gardener, a talented seamstress, and a voracious reader who read thousands of books. She loved Southern cooking, especially fried fish, gumbo, grits, mustard greens, peas and okra, and fried green tomatoes.

She also took great pleasure in opening her home to family and friends. There was always room
at Carolyn's table. Her china collection filled a roughly 150-square-foot china closet, with formal and casual place settings for different seasons and holidays. She enjoyed bringing out the appropriate dishes and china when entertaining, making even an ordinary family gathering feel special.

Birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were important occasions in Carolyn's home. She hosted family and friends regularly, including a monthly dominoes luncheon. Christmas was particularly special, and she even hosted the Faith Bible Class Christmas luncheon. Her home was a gathering place where people came to eat, laugh, visit, and simply enjoy being together.

Carolyn's love of gardening led to her involvement with the Sanford Garden Club. She took great pride in her garden and continued gardening well into her later years. Her home and garden reflected the same care she gave to everything else in her life: patience, attention, and a desire to make things beautiful and welcoming.

Carolyn had a witty sense of humor, but it was her kindness that people remembered most. She was gentle and gracious, treated people with kindness in every possible way, and faced life's difficulties with patience and grace. She had a mild-mannered nature, but she also had a spirited and independent side that occasionally produced stories the family would tell for generations.

As a young girl, Carolyn was forbidden to enter the swampy area near her mother's home
because of the snakes and alligators. One day, after following her older brothers into the swamp,her mother saw Carolyn emerging from it. Angry that Carolyn had disobeyed her, her mother reached for something with which to discipline her. The only thing within reach was a planter of calla lilies. Carolyn received her punishment with a soft calla lily—a story that became one of the many colorful memories of her childhood.

Another family favorite involved Carolyn and her brother Gerald. Gerald and a friend had spent
the morning fishing for a particular catfish near the family home. Carolyn joined the boys at the fishing hole, and when the boys left to go to the store, she took their poles and continued fishing.When the boys returned, Carolyn was standing at the gate holding the very catfish they had been trying to catch. The boys threw their hats to the ground and stomped around in mock displeasure at the fact that she had caught their fish while they were gone.

Carolyn's practical wisdom also extended to her husband. Nat was a successful commercial real estate broker, but early in their marriage he worked as an insurance salesman. Nat walked door to door both selling insurance and collecting monthly premiums. His shoes left his feet painfully sore, so Carolyn diagnosed the problem as "cheap shoes" and bought him a good pair. Nat never bought cheap shoes again and developed a lifelong appreciation for good shoes. Some of those shoes were eventually passed down to family members who still wear them today.

Family was the center of Carolyn's life. She and Nat raised three sons: Victor Ronald "Vic" Richburg, Gregory Dale "Greg" Richburg, and Karl William "Karl" Richburg. Carolyn was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she loved and cherished all of her grandchildren.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel Isaac "Nat" Richburg; her son, Gregory Dale Richburg; her grandson, Gregory Dale Richburg, Jr.; her parents, Charles Person Bosarge and Saima Sofia Saksa Bosarge; and her siblings Annie Elizabeth Bosarge McGowen, Lydia Sofia Bosarge Stringfellow, and Charles Person Bosarge Jr.

She is survived by her sons Victor Ronald Richburg of Tallahassee and Karl William Richburg of Lake Mary; her grandchildren Jonathon, Kayla, Jordan, Rebecca, Justin, and Natalie; and her great-grandchildren Adriane and Ellie, daughters of Kayla and Michael Scarpone; Rayleigh, Kennedy, and Rhett, children of Jordan and Ashley Richburg; and Peyton, daughter of Rebecca and Greg Quinn.

She is also survived by her siblings Cynthia Bosarge Breland and Gerald William Bosarge; nieces and nephews Buddy Breland, Jane Breland, Donalene Richburg, Sonya Richburg Schmidt, C.W. McGowen, Lori Ann Zirlott, and Kecia McGowen Perkins; sister-in-law Carol Richburg; daughter-in-laws Tammy Richburg, Kathy Richburg; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Among those especially important in Carolyn's life were her niece Kay McGowen Diaz, her nephew C.W. McGowen, and Judy Richburg, the former wife of Carolyn's son Karl. Judy remained close to Carolyn as both family and a dear friend, while C.W. was an important part of Carolyn's family throughout her life. Carolyn's friendships with Sharon Agie, Evelyn LaBruto,Myrna Page, Bertie Crutchfield, and Martha Posey were also especially meaningful. Sharon,C.W., and Judy remained particularly close to Carolyn and were with her, Vic, and Karl during her final days.

Carolyn was also surrounded by family and friends who came to her side during the final weeks of her life, including Jonathon Richburg, Rebecca Quinn, Greg Quinn, Natalie Richburg, Becky McDonough, and Justin Richburg. Their presence, care, and time with Carolyn during those final weeks became a meaningful part of her family's memories of her final days.

Carolyn's son Karl cared for his mother throughout the last six years of her life. During the last three years especially, he devoted much of his time to making sure she was cared for and able to remain surrounded by the people and things she loved. His quiet commitment allowed Carolyn to remain in the home and community she loved and was a reflection of the deep love he had for his mother.

Carolyn spent much of her life in the Sanford/Lake Mary area, living within a small area of that community for most of her life. As the area around her home in Sanford was eventually annexed into Lake Mary, her final address became Lake Mary, but the entire community remained an important part of who she was. Her life was woven into the community through her family, friendships, gardening, church activities, and the many people who knew and loved her.

Carolyn's family will also remember the traditions and stories she helped create. One favorite family tradition was the Thanksgiving Cornhole Tournament, whose trophy has been passed from winner to winner since 2011. Like so many of Carolyn's traditions, it brought family together in a spirit of fun and friendly competition.

Carolyn's life was defined not by titles or accomplishments on paper, but by the home she created, the people she welcomed, the meals she prepared, the gardens she tended, the books she read, the treasures she collected, and, above all, the family and friends she loved.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, homemaker, gardener, cook, seamstress, collector, reader, and a truly kind Southern lady. Those who knew Carolyn will remember her gentle nature, her wit, her grace, her compassion, and the joy her presence brought to the lives of so many people.

Her family will carry forward the many stories, traditions, recipes, treasures, and memories she left behind—and, most importantly, the example of kindness and grace that she gave them throughout her life.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 905 Laurel Avenue, Sanford, Florida 32771

.A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Central Church, 3101 Hwy 46, Sanford, Florida 32771. The service will be officiated by Dave Farr.

Following the memorial service, Carolyn will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Cemetery, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, Florida.

A reception for family and friends will follow at the Richburg residence.