of Little Rock, AR

March 21, 1943 - October 17, 2024

Carolyn Gaye Lanford, 81, of Little Rock, AR passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024. She was born to Jean and Charles Phillips on March 21, 1943. Gaye was a native of Uniontown, PA and grew up in Miami, OK. She attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, where she earned an Associate of Arts and Science degree. She then attended the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and met the love of her life, Robert Louis Lanford. They married on July 7, 1964 in Miami, OK. Two years later, they welcomed their eldest son, Matthew Louis and three years later, their daughter, Kathryn LaRue, completing their family of four.

Gaye proudly referred to herself as a "domestic engineer" until she became active in Arkansas Republican politics, serving as the state volunteer coordinator for Frank White's successful gubernatorial campaign. After the 1980 elections, she became the administrator of the Arkansas Governor's Mansion and Executive Assistant to the First Lady. She also served as the campaign scheduler for Ed Bethune and Sheffield Nelson.

After a rewarding career in politics, Gaye devoted her energies to her true passion: golf. She refined her skills and promoted the game for women, juniors and senior golfers alike. She was a 12-time Country Club of Little Rock Women's Golf Champion and runner-up in the Arkansas Women's Senior Championship. Gaye served as a USGA Regional Committee Woman and Director of the Arkansas State Golf Association. She was also President of the Arkansas Women's Golf Association, where she was instrumental in negotiating an agreement with the State Men's Golf Association and initiated plans to have all the state's golf courses rated on the USGA slope system for women. Additionally, she served on the Country Club of Little Rock Golf Committee for seven years and was one of the first female members invited to join the Alotian Club. Gaye was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow and also served as President of the Twentieth Century Club.

Her other hobbies included designing and making Old World Santa Christmas stockings, being an extraordinary gourmet cook and expressing her creativity as an artist. In addition, Gaye was a member of First United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

Gaye is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Louis Lanford and her parents, Zola Jean and Charles Matthews Phillips. She is survived by her son, Matt Lanford and his husband, Michael Young of Las Vegas, NV; her daughter, Kate Beal (Stuart); grandchildren, Alex Beal (Monica), Philip Beal (Elizabeth) and Thomas Beal and great-granddaughter, Caroline Beal of Midland, TX. She is also survived by her brother, Douglas Phillips (Patsy) and sister, Susan Chitwood (John), as well as one niece and three nephews of Tulsa, OK.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 24, at 11:00 a.m. at Roselawn Memorial Park under the direction of Roller-Chenal Funeral Home.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to those who graciously cared for Gaye, including Right at Home Care, Brightstar Care, Hospice Home Health, Parkway Village and Fox Ridge Chenal. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the ASGA Scholarship Fund.

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