She was born Oct. 28, 1923 in Crystal Springs to Lucile and Dr. John Sims Gibson. She graduated from Crystal Springs High School and then attended MSCW, where she graduated cum laude in 1945, Over the years she and her family lived in McComb, Natchez, Magee, Winona, Indianola, and Jackson. Carolyn and her husband Robert were long time members of the Methodist Church in Mississippi. Carolyn was a long time player, coach, and administrator. She was a pioneer for the game of tennis in the Mississippi Delta from 1964-1978. After her children left for college she started to play tennis competitively and won 55 senior titles over the next 22 years. Carolyn is a member of the MSCW Hall of Fame, The Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame, The Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, and The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, John Simms Gibson and her nephew, Johnny Gibson.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Henry of Madison; daughter, Dr. Susan Henry Taylor of Madison: son, James Robert (Bobby) Henry of Madison; daughter-in-law, Nita Simpson Henry of Madison; grandsons, Neal Simpson Henry and William Joseph Henry of Madison; sister-in-law; Lucile Gibson of Atlanta, GA; and nephew, Richard Gibson of Atlanta,GA.