Carolynn Jean Bramlett

Carolynn Bramlett of Huntington Beach, CA, died January 14, 2024, at the age of 77 after complications following two strokes. She was born April 16, 1946, to Cagle Norris and Anna Muriel Bramlett at Methodist Hospital in Los Angeles, growing up mostly in Whittier with two older siblings. After graduating from Sierra High School, she took a winding path with her higher education, completing a bachelor’s degree from Cal State San Diego. She held many jobs during her long career in sectors as diverse as insurance, weight loss services, and higher education, working for long periods of time in each.

Carolynn knew how to live life. For her 70th birthday she decided to jump out of an airplane just to have the adventure of sky diving. She spent time on the ground dancing up a storm with the Apple Creek Cloggers for many years, performing at the Orange County Fair, serving as the Treasurer, and supporting the annual Possum Trot. A life-long love of animals included begging her parents for a horse (but not getting one), caring for many pets over the years including her sweet dog Cowgirl, volunteering at a wolf sanctuary, and – especially since retirement – caring for horses and taking up barrel racing (https://youtu.be/OIyRGxQTK9w) with Fohrman Performance Horses at Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. Carolynn also expressed her thoughtful, caring side participating with and serving as Treasurer for ZotSpeak Toastmasters, volunteer ushering at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, reading, playing Scrabble with friends, and taking care of extended family.

Carolynn’s good humor was present in every and all situations, even, at times, when it was mildly inappropriate. It’s like her life’s personal mission was to spread joy. Friends and family note that Carolynn found reasons to laugh all the time. She delighted in play – with young and old. Her nieces and nephews recall many trips to amusement parks where she was game to get on any rollercoaster. At any family event one could expect to see Carolynn displaying black olives on each finger which she would then consume one by one. At Christmas she would arrive with both serious and gag gifts like “handerpants” or “marshmallow shooters” and a bag of mini marshmallows. She also liked to gently tease people – and no one was immune – at UC Irvine she called the faculty (academics) she worked with "macadamias."

Carolynn is survived by her sister, Joanne (Tom) Stern, brother, Ken (Suzy) Bramlett, five nieces and nephews, two stepchildren, several grand nieces and nephews, and many beloved extended family members. Carolynn was preceded in death by both her parents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to thank Hoag Hospital on 4E for the care and compassion they showed Carolynn in her final days.

The family will have a celebration of life this spring to which family and friends will be invited. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Carolynn’s memory to Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach (https://www.trchb.org/), Planned Parenthood, or your local food bank.

“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit… what a ride!’” – Hunter S. Thompson