Carole Montene Poteat Queen

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Carole Montene Poteat Queen on May 16, 2026, while in hospice care. Born in Upson County, Georgia, Carole was a cherished daughter of Houston Downey Poteat and Ruby Mafia McDaniel Poteat Oglesbee Gibby. Carole was a woman of grace, resilience, and warmth, whose life was a beautiful tapestry woven with love, adventure, and dedication. She was predeceased by her beloved parents, Houston "Buck" Poteat and Macie Gibby, her stepfather, Leavert Oglesbee, her daughter, DeAnne Queen, her husband, Harrold Queen, and her sister, Lucille Harrell. These losses, while heavy, never dimmed her spirit nor her capacity to love those around her. She is lovingly remembered by her surviving family members: her daughter Deborah Chapman and husband Tim, her son Terry Queen, her granddaughters Jessica Chapman Austin and husband Jason, Ashley Queen McCue and husband Jeremy, Natalie Chapman Bryant and husband Kyle, Bonnie Queen, and her great-grandchildren Derek Austin, Autumn McCue, Charlotte McCue, Fiona McCue, and George Bryant. Carole is also survived by her sister Patricia Braid and husband Ed, her brothers Donald Ray Poteat, Reginald Poteat and wife Patricia, Jerry Oglesbee and wife Sandra, and Sam Oglesbee and wife Kim, along with many cherished nieces and nephews. In June 1961, Carole married the love of her life, Harrold Queen. As a devoted military spouse, she embraced the nomadic life, living in several states including Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Kentucky. Together, they shared a profound love for travel, which took them across the world and the United States. A deployment to Germany allowed Carole and her children to spend an unforgettable summer exploring 17 countries in a VW van. After retirement, Carole and Harrold fulfilled their wanderlust in their Winnebago, visiting Alaska twice and serving as hosts at several national parks. One particularly memorable summer was spent journeying across the country with their four granddaughters, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Carole graduated from high school and worked diligently in the cotton mills in Griffin, Georgia, before joining the JC Penney distribution center in Forest Park, Georgia. After 25 years of dedicated service, she retired and moved to Lake Sinclair in Eatonton, Georgia, where she and Harrold became active members of Lake Country Baptist Church. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and her interactions with others. A woman of many talents, Carole enjoyed sewing, gardening, and playing the piano without sheet music, a testament to her natural musical ability. Her kitchen was often filled with laughter and the aroma of her famous cornbread dressing, tomato sauce for black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, red velvet cake, and coconut cake, all made with love for her family. Carole's life was a testament to her enduring love for her family, her unwavering faith, and her zest for life. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she touched and the stories she leaves behind. She was a beacon of kindness, a masterful storyteller, and a woman who lived her life with purpose and joy. A celebration of Carole's life will be held at a later date, where family and friends will gather to honor her remarkable journey. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Carole's memory, as a tribute to her generous spirit and her commitment to helping others. Carole Montene Poteat Queen will be deeply missed but forever remembered with love and admiration. Her life was a blessing, and her memory a treasure. May she rest in eternal peace.