Carolyn Hughes Barnhardt
April 7, 1946-August 2, 2025
Carolyn Tully Hughes was born on April 7, 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to parents Winifred Tully Hughes and Edwin J. Hughes. Soon after Carolyn’s birth, the Hughes family moved to Tallahassee, Florida and she would spend her childhood there. Carolyn would go on to become a State Champion diver with Olympic training opportunities, but at the high school level decided to leave diving behind and enjoy her time at Leon High School, where the 1964 graduate was a Cheerleader, Student Government Representative, and Exchange Club Sweetheart. Carolyn lived with close family friends during her Senior year while her family relocated to Lake Wales so that her father Ed could assume the role of President of First National Bank of Lake Wales, which would later become SunBank.
After graduating from high school, Carolyn joined her family in Lake Wales. She spent her first two collegiate years at Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama and then transferred to Florida State University. While at FSU, Carolyn was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1968.
Carolyn came back to Lake Wales after graduation and accepted a teaching job with Polk Avenue Elementary. During this time, she also married Howard Barnhardt of Lake Wales, and they were married for 20 years. Carolyn taught at Polk Avenue for a total of 35 years before and after taking time away from teaching to be a Stay at Home Mom with her two sons.
During her time as a teacher, Carolyn touched the lives of the people she worked with as an employee, coworker, and mentor but her most lasting impact was the one she made on the students she shared her classroom with. Her blend of knowledge and graceful discipline was an early positive influence on many lives, and it is common to run into former students in Lake Wales who remember their time with “Mrs. Barnhardt.”
Carolyn’s contributions to her community were not limited to her time as a teacher, as she served many years as a Team Mom at Lake Wales Little League and several years as Treasurer of the Concession Stand. She also enjoyed going back to Polk Avenue as a Volunteer during her retirement.
Carolyn enjoyed hosting parties with family and friends, spending time outdoors, and watching golf and college football games. Carolyn grew up and remained an avid supporter of the Florida State Seminoles and became a fan of her son Chad’s USF Bulls, her daughter in law April’s Ole Miss Rebels, and Lake Wales High School Athletics.
Carolyn is predeceased by her parents Edwin J. Hughes and Winifred Tully Hughes and survivors include sons Brett Barnhardt (Christina) of Vero Beach and Chad Barnhardt (April) of Lake Wales, grandchildren Quintin Branch of Orlando, Kelsey Barnhardt of Winter Haven, and Pyper Barnhardt of Lake Wales, and brothers David Hughes of Lake Wales, and Jimmy Hughes (Jean) of Havana.
Carolyn’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday August 9th at 11:00AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lake Wales Charter School Foundation at the following address:
Lake Wales Charter Foundation
Carolyn Barnhardt Memorial Fund-Polk Avenue Elementary
130 East Central Avenue
Lake Wales, Florida 33853
