Carol E Hallgren

Sumter, SC….. Carol E. Hallgren, age 87, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at her home.

Carol was born in Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of the late Gerhard A. Hallgren Jr. and the late Eleanor Carlson Hallgren.

Carol earned her Ed.D. in Education from the University of South Carolina in 1989. Throughout her career, she made a lasting impact on school systems across Florida and South Carolina, serving in various leadership roles, including serving proudly as assistant superintendent of Clarendon District 2. She also shared her passion for education as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Carolina, Sumter.

Carol was deeply involved in her community, actively participating in the Sumter Rotary Club and the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce. Her entrepreneurial spirit was reflected in her loving restoration of a century-old building in downtown Sumter, transforming it into Brick Street Coffee, a welcoming space that became a cherished gathering spot for many. Her warmth and presence will be fondly remembered by all who visited.

Above all, Carol will be remembered as a devoted mother, sister, and grandmother. Her kindness, strength, and love touched countless lives, and she will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Carol is survived by her sons, Robert Ross Payne II and his wife Patricia of Savannah, Georgia, and Mark Shawn Payne and his wife Reva of St. Petersburg, Florida; her daughter, Carrie Payne McCloud and her husband Dwayne of Sumter, SC; her sister, Ruth E. Branson of Brooksville, Florida; six grandchildren, Erika Conleay, Sophia Schulz, Mark Payne, Preston McCloud, Jessica Turner, Matthew McCloud; and six great-grandchildren, Caroline, Merritt, Jackson, Hadley, Savannah, and Hayden.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Richard G. Hallgren.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Holy Comforter on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 11:00 am.

A visitation will be held in the Parish Hall, following the service, where the family will receive friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Church of the Holy Comforter or the Sumter SPCA.

Church of the Holy Comforter, 213 North Main St., Sumter, SC, 29150

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

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