Carolyn Sue Holm
Carolyn Sue Holm died on March 30, 2026, in Eugene, Ore., at the age of 78.
Born Carolyn Sue Vinson, she lived a life centered on learning, family, friendship, and faith.
She graduated from Trigg County High School in Cadiz, Ky. and went on to Murray State University, where she earned an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, and completed advanced graduate coursework in education.
Carolyn devoted much of her professional life to teaching speech and literature, spending most of her career at Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Ill. She also taught at Shawnee High School in Southern Illinois and Hopkinsville High School in Western Kentucky.
She loved literature, language, and ideas, and she shared those gifts generously with her students for over 30 years.
She was a faithful member of St. Matthew By the Lake ELCA Lutheran Church in Benton, Ky. and Emmaus ELCA Lutheran Church in Eugene, Ore.
She is survived by her sister, Anne Vinson Wamser of Raleigh, N.C.; her son, David Leonard Bradley IV, and his wife, Carolyn Bradley, of Cheshire, Conn., and their daughters, Allison Bradley and Katherine Bradley; her son, John Vinson Bradley, and his wife, Annie Cole-Bradley, of Eugene, Ore., and their children, Anna Bradley and Isaac Bradley; her stepdaughter, Kim Giltner, and her husband, Brian Giltner, of Metropolis, Ill., and their children Zachary Giltner and Madison Giltner; and her stepson, Kris Holm, and his wife, Regina Holm, of Paducah, Ky., and their children Catherine Holm, Lily Holm, and Cooper Holm.
Carolyn is also survived by her lifelong friend, Robert Collie of Fairdealing, Ky.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Ted Holm; her brother, John Robert Vinson III; her mother, Doris Peal Vinson; and her father, John Robert “Jack” Vinson Jr.
A local service will be held in Eugene, Ore., with a memorial in Kentucky to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Carolyn’s memory to Hosea Youth Services, 834 Monroe Street, Eugene, OR 97402, phone 541-344-5583, or online at hoseayouth.org.
The family is grateful for the love, prayers, and kindness shown during this time.