On Sunday, July 20, 2025 Carole Ann Cosby left this green earth surrounded by family, in the city where she was born and loved - Monroe, MI. "Carole with an 'E,'" as she liked to introduce herself, was a daughter, sister, loyal wife of 64 years to Jack, loving mother, adoring grandma ("Gammaw"), steadfast friend, and perhaps most impressively someone who found joy and happiness all around her.
We can all learn a beautiful lesson from Carole. Too often we spend our time chasing luxuries and fantasies that society teaches us to think we need, and when we inevitably fall short of securing those things, we feel sad and unfulfilled. Carole figured out the secret to true happiness - appreciating what she had around her, and finding true joy in the small things in life.
She found happiness in her many orange cats over the years, and her even more numerous outdoor cats whom she pampered to the point you might think they were the ones in charge. Evidenced by her perfectly manicured property she found happiness being out in the sun with her hands in the dirt. She found it in the countless puzzles and word searches she spent late nights solving, with Carol Burnett and other vintage TV shows playing in the background. Although not one to take the stage herself, she sang along and was always deeply moved by the hymns sung at Frenchtown Missionary Baptist Church each week, a congregation she was a member of for 62 years - her favorite song was "Amazing Grace." She loved flowers, she loved collecting dimes, and she loved listening to the wind chimes on her porch as the warm Michigan summer air blew through them, often accompanied by the chatter of a full family gathering. She loved sweets, she loved pretty rocks, and most of all, she loved her family.
Not only did she figure out one of life's greatest secrets for herself, but she spread countless smiles to those around her. A rare combination of being a social butterfly, yet never wanting to be the center of attention meant that Carole was constantly making everyone around her feel seen, heard, and loved. She was one of those people who strangers would inexplicably approach and start talking to; perhaps her welcoming face, or maybe her shy grin and trusting demeanor led to countless conversations at Meijer, ranging from a quick question to a recitation of an entire life story. To her grandchildren she was known and loved as "Gammaw," a title she invented combining "Grandma" and "Mamaw" to fuse her and Jack's Northern and Southern backgrounds - don't let her accent fool you, she never lived a day in the South. Her grandchildren recount some of their favorite memories of their Gammaw here: they loved sleeping on her living room floor and staying up late watching VHS movies as she rubbed their backs; they loved her sassiness and feisty wit; they loved the playful punches she would give and chuckle when they think of all the times she said "I'm going to stick it in your ear" when they didn't eat everything on their plate; they loved playing the game "Sorry," and her devilish grin that indicated nobody was safe when she flipped that "Sorry card;" they loved how despite staying up late with them she'd be up bright and early making a delicious, heavily buttered breakfast; they loved scoping out the best deals at countless garage sales and thrift stores; and they will all forever smile remembering that time Reed broke her prized blue ceramic elephant and the ten thousand dimes it contained flooded the family room floor.
Carole had many hidden talents. She always referred to United Furniture as Jack's store, but he would proudly say she was the brains behind the operation. She came up with the name for the store, repaired countless frayed cushions, balanced the checkbook and could always be found at the Monroe County Fair booth to name just a few, all while being a strong partner behind the scenes to help grow a family and a business they could be very proud of.
In her final months, she was surrounded by family and friends, especially her three loving daughters who were by her side at all times, rubbing her back and making difficult health related decisions, taking care of her just as she used to take care of all of us. With the passing of both Carole and Jack we're overcome with sadness as we lose a generation of our family; but we're also hopeful, and thankful, and so excited as we look toward the future and the legacy they have left in their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Serendipitously, like Jack two years before her, Carole also passed on a Sunday in late July - after 64 years of marriage, we think she just wanted to be by his side again. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…" you left on this earth; you blessed us all with your presence, and though you are now gone, you will never be forgotten. You truly were Amazing.
Carole is survived by daughter Janelle (Dave) Gonyea of Rochester, MN; daughter Valerie (Marty) Fuson of Monroe; daughter Shelly (Derek) Corrin of Monroe; sister Melba Hill of Monroe; brother Jack Pulcheon of Sebastopol, CA; 9 grandchildren, Jack Reece (Tori) Cosby, Mikail (Niraali Lad) Gonyea, Corey Fuson, Rachael (Kevin) Payne, Emerson (Jenna) Gonyea, Liam (Brie Corona) Gonyea, Carley (Jeremy) Snyder, Reed Corrin and Sydney Corrin; 2 great grandchildren, McKenzi Cosby and Wyatt Cosby; numerous nieces and nephews; countless friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Jack Cosby; mother Grace Pulcheon; father Lauren Pulcheon; son Jack LaMonte "Monte" Cosby; brother Gene Pulcheon.
All are welcome to come celebrate Carole's life and share memories at Bacarella Funeral Home on Friday, July 25th from 1:00 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, Carole will lie in state at 10:00 a.m. at Frenchtown Missionary Baptist Church where services will begin at 11:00 a.m. The pastor, Rev. Fred Mayes will officiate. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions in Carole's memory may be made to Frenchtown Missionary Baptist Church, Friends of Companion Animals or donor's choice.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .