Carolyn Drinkard sits on her small, weathered porch in Thomasville, Alabama, the late-afternoon sun painting the fields of her hobby farm in soft golds and greens. The scene is tranquil: sheep graze contentedly in the pasture, chickens sing happily in the distance, and her dog sleeps lazily at her feet. It’s a quiet existence, far removed from the noise of the outside world, yet this is where her most impactful work begins. With her pen, notebook, and an insatiable curiosity about the lives of others, Carolyn has spent years documenting the heartbeats of her community.
At 77, Carolyn’s name is now synonymous with storytelling in Clarke County. Her ability to uncover the extraordinary in the lives of ordinary people has earned her admiration and, most recently, the title of Citizen of the Year in Thomasville—for the second time. But ask Carolyn about the honor, and she’ll humbly brush it aside. “I really don’t think I’ve done anything extraordinary,” she says. “There are so many others who deserve this recognition more than I do.”
Her modesty is a hallmark of her character, but it also belies a lifetime of quiet, steady contributions to her town, both as an educator and as a writer. Carolyn’s journey began in the small community of Sandflat, Alabama, where she grew up dreaming of becoming a journalist. “I always wanted to write,” she says. “But back then, teaching was seen as a more practical path for a woman.”
In 1965, Carolyn attended Judson College on a music scholarship, though her love of language soon led her to change her focus. She graduated with an English degree and got a teaching certificate, setting out on a path that would keep her in the classroom for more than four decades.
For 43 years, Carolyn taught English, drama, and music in the Thomasville school system before moving into administration. To her, teaching was not just about imparting knowledge but about fostering creativity and connection. She directed school plays and musicals, weaving together productions that became cherished traditions for students and families alike. Many of her former students still keep in touch, sharing their lives and achievements with the teacher who once encouraged them to dream big.
“I’ve always believed that education is about more than textbooks,” Carolyn says. “It’s about helping people find their voice.”
After her retirement in 2010, Jim Cox, the former owner of The Thomasville Times, asked her to write human-interest stories for the local paper. At first, she was hesitant. “I didn’t think I had anything to say that people would want to read,” she recalls. But her stories—authentic, empathetic, and deeply personal—quickly resonated with readers.
Over time, Carolyn became known for her ability to capture the essence of her subjects. She has a knack for uncovering the layers of a person’s life, revealing the struggles and triumphs that make them who they are. In one memorable story, she chronicled the journey of a young boy named Kingston McCaskey, who had recently completed his cancer treatment. The piece was not just a celebration of his recovery but also a tribute to the resilience of his family and the compassion of a community that supported them.
“His mother told me it was an answer to her prayers,” Carolyn says. “She wanted people to know Kingston’s story, and she saw my interest as a sign from God.”
Carolyn’s writing often carries this sense of purpose, as though each story is a thread in a larger tapestry. She contributes to magazines, non-profits, and local organizations, including Auburn University’s 4-H Foundation. Her stories range from the unsung heroes of Clarke County to larger issues like addiction and mental health. Regardless of the topic, her approach is always the same: listen deeply, write honestly, and let the story speak for itself.
“Everybody has a story,” she says. “You just have to take the time to find it.”
Carolyn’s days are a careful balance of farm chores,volunteering and writing. She feeds her animals, tends to her flowers and then retreats to her desk—sometimes indoors, sometimes on the porch. Music often plays in the background, setting the tone for her creative process. For Carolyn, writing is not just a skill but a calling, one rooted in her belief that stories have the power to connect people and give them hope.
“When you write from the heart, it always reaches someone,” she says. “That’s what I try to do—to write with heart and hope.”
This philosophy extends beyond her writing to her broader contributions to Thomasville. For 15 years, Carolyn served on the board of the Salvation Army, helping to meet the needs of her community’s most vulnerable members. Whether organizing food drives, volunteering at events, or simply offering a kind word, Carolyn sees service as an integral part of her life.
“It doesn’t take much to make a difference,” she says. “Sometimes a simple smile can change someone’s day.”
Her impact is evident in the stories people tell about her. Former students describe her as a mentor who believed in their potential long before they saw it themselves. Neighbors speak of her generosity and kindness, often recalling the times she went out of her way to help without expecting anything in return.
The Citizen of the Year award is a reflection of these countless acts of service, as well as her contributions to the town’s cultural and intellectual life. For Carolyn, however, the recognition is secondary to the work itself. “Awards are nice, but they’re not why I do what I do,” she says. “If you see someone in need, you help them. That’s just how I was raised.”
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across her farm, Carolyn leans back in her chair, her notebook resting on her lap. She is already thinking about her next story, the next person whose life she will document with care and compassion.
For Carolyn, storytelling is not just a profession or a pastime—it is a way of life. It is her way of preserving the past, illuminating the present, and shaping the future of her town. And in doing so, she reminds us all of the power of listening, the importance of community, and the enduring value of kindness.
“I don’t think I’ve done anything extraordinary,” she says again, her voice soft but resolute. Perhaps not in her eyes. But in the eyes of Thomasville, Carolyn Drinkard’s stories—and the life she leads—are nothing short of remarkable.
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This article was originally published by The Thomasville Times– Deep South Media Group. © 2024 Deep South Media Group. All rights reserved.
Eduardo Magaña 
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