Carolyn Nettles Shockley

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She loved going to Edisto Island in the fall with family, growing tomatoes in her garden with Bill, and playing competitive board games with her children.

Carolyn Nettles Shockley, 72, died peacefully at home on Monday, September 7, 2026, surrounded by her family and beloved pets. Carolyn fought courageously through two occurrences of cancer, but when faced with a third recurrence earlier this year, decided to leave behind her suffering and pain, and live eternally with her Heavenly Father.

Carolyn leaves behind her two children whom she loved so very much, Katie Shockley and Nick Shockley, of Indian Trail and Charlotte, NC; her partner, Bill Helms, who gave her unlimited love and support; her surviving siblings Jim (Mary) Nettles of Columbia, SC, Martha (Danny) Weathersby of Elgin, SC, and Barbara (Dale) Howard of Harrisburg, NC; former husband David Shockley of Hartsville, SC; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and her dear sister, Susan Nettles Thomas.

Carolyn was born on September 7, 1954 to the late Hendrix and Sue (Meetze) Nettles in Rock Hill, SC. The young family soon moved to Columbia where Carolyn was raised along with her four younger siblings. After graduating from A.C. Flora High School, Carolyn attended the University of South Carolina, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. At that time, traditional hospital-based nurse training programs were phasing out in favor of comprehensive 4-year university degrees. As a new RN from a university program, Carolyn faced initial hostility from her older nursing colleagues who believed the young RN had book smarts but little else! Never a shrinking violet, Carolyn quickly proved her worth through her skill, work ethic, and compassion. In 1987 she completed a Family Nurse Practitioner program (master’s degree) from UNC Chapel Hill, proudly advancing the profession she held so dear. Carolyn worked as a nurse for almost 50 years.

Throughout her life Carolyn always had cats and dogs by her side. A talented artist, she loved drawing her pets as well as the pets of family and friends. She loved going to Edisto Island in the fall with family, growing tomatoes in her garden with Bill, and playing competitive board games with her children. Never one to take herself too seriously, she loved to joke and laugh and was fond of doing or saying the absolute most unexpected things! She also loved her Heavenly Father and had a deep and abiding faith. Carolyn was greatly loved and will be missed tremendously.

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Never one to take herself too seriously, she loved to joke and laugh and was fond of doing or saying the absolute most unexpected things!

Harrisburg Funeral & Cremation is serving the Shockley family. Details on her service are forthcoming.