Carolyn Janelle Douglas, known lovingly to her family and friends as “Janelle” and “Nanny,” passed away on September 3, 2026, at the age of 89. She passed peacefully at NHC Tullahoma, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, service, friendship, and family devotion.
Born in Nashville, Arkansas, Janelle grew up in Hope, Arkansas, where she attended Hope High School. During her school years, she played the French horn in the high school band and developed a lifelong love of swimming while working as a lifeguard at the local public pool. Those who knew her well understood that swimming remained one of her greatest joys throughout her life.
Following high school, Janelle attended nursing school at Baptist Hospital School in Little Rock, Arkansas. While there, she met a young airman stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Robert Franklin “Frank” Douglas. Their chance meeting blossomed into a loving marriage that would span six decades and create a close-knit family whose lives were shaped by their devotion and example.
Janelle dedicated her professional life to caring for others. As a Registered Nurse and healthcare administrator at Bedford County Hospital and its nursing home, she touched countless lives through her compassion, professionalism, and commitment to serving patients and families. She served there for 41 years in roles including charge nurse, nursing home administrator, and wellness director. One of her favorite roles as wellness director was teaching 4th graders about hand washing. Her healthcare career reflected her deep belief in helping others and making a positive difference in her community
every day.
Outside of her profession, Janelle was a talented seamstress and needleworker whose creativity and craftsmanship inspired many. Through sewing groups and community friendships, she formed lifelong relationships and shared her talents generously with others. Her sewing skills became a source of admiration and inspiration for her granddaughters. Groups she participated in were the Cheekwood Chapter of the Embroiders Guild of America, various quilting groups, Shelbyville Woman‘s Club, and Bedford County Family and Community Education (FCE) club where she was a 50 year member.
She and her late husband Frank were dedicated member of the Shelbyville First Christian Church and served in many positions at the church. After her move to Tullahoma, she participated at Trinty Lutheran Church in the Lutheran World Relief Quilting group.
Above all, Janelle treasured her family. She is survived by her daughter, Lynn Brumfield and husband Jeff of Tullahoma; her son, Steve Douglas and wife Harriet of San Marcos, California; grandchildren Allison Young and husband Dillon, Caren Brumfield, Cydney Douglas, and Ainsleigh Douglas.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Frank Douglas, with whom she shared more than sixty years of marriage.
Janelle will be remembered for her kindness, dedication to others, love of family, enduring friendships, and the warmth she brought to everyone she met. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched as a nurse, mother, grandmother, friend, and mentor.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Carolyn Janelle Douglas will be held at a later date at Shelbyville First Christian Church, 309 Madison Street Shelbyville, TN 37160. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shelbyville First Christian Church or Trinity Lutheran’s World Relief Quilting group 705 Wilson Ave. Tullahoma, TN 37388.
Feldhaus-Gowen-Smith Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Carolyn Janelle Douglas.
