Carol Sue (Hutchison/Hamilton) Gum

Carol Sue Gum, 72, of Frankfort, passed away at Homewood Health in Lebanon on July 13, 2023. Carol was born on March 10, 1951 at Frankfort Hospital to Gerald and Mary Hutchison. The youngest of four children, Carol grew up in Clinton County and graduated from Clinton Prairie in 1969. She attended Ball State University, where she met Ronald Hamilton and married him in 1970. In 1973, Carol graduated with her bachelor's in elementary education and taught in Rossville. She and Ron had their first child, Derek, in 1976. The following year, the Hamiltons moved to Port Huron, MI, where Carol created and ran a preschool program at her church. In August 1980 Ron passed away, and Carol later gave birth to their daughter, Kristi.

Carol returned to Clinton County, where she met David Gum. They married in May 1984 and had one child, Ragan. Carol worked for various banks in Frankfort for 28 years and retired in 2014. One of Carol's greatest passions was music, and at the age of 19 she was church organist at St. Luke's Church. Later, she was church organist and a choir member at Trinity United Methodist Church, and she accompanied numerous children (including her own) for Solo and Ensemble band performances. Carol loved to travel and make her children pose for countless awkward photographs in front of just about every interesting site during family vacations. One of her favorite places was San Francisco where, it's rumored, she left her heart. Although a woman of short stature, her exuberant and infectious laugh could fill an arena. Carol was exceedingly proud of her children, and she instilled in them a love of music, travel, open-mindedness, the drive to achieve their goals, and the strength to persevere through hardship.

Along with her husband of 39 years, Carol is survived by her children Derek (Carey) Hamilton, Kristi (Chris) Miniello and Ragan Gum; siblings, Richard Hutchison, Janice Leazenby, and Ron (Kennie) Hutchison; and grandchildren, Aidan and Leo Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her parents and first husband, Ronald Hamilton.

Memorial visitation will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 4-7pm at Day & Genda Funeral Home in Frankfort. Celebration of Life will be held at 1pm Friday, July 28, 2023, at the funeral home. A private inurnment will be held at Kilmore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Clinton County Civic Theater and the American Brain Tumor Association. Messages of condolence may be left at www.dayandgenda.com.