August 16, 1912 – April 12, 2013

By Charles K. (Ken), McCotter, Jr., Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern, NC, 2016

Caroline Ashford was a lifelong member of Christ Church. She and her husband, Dr. Charles Hall Ashford, were the parents of Dr. Charlie Ashford, Caroline Smith and Tay Roberts, all regular attendees at Christ Church. Many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren also attend Christ Church. Caroline was the second woman to serve on the Vestry of Christ Church. Here follow some of Caroline’s recollections associated with Christ Church and its people.

Caroline’s father, William Dunn, walked her to Sunday School every Sunday. Caroline’s first grade teacher, Molly Heath, was also her Sunday School teacher. The big cedar tree with the Christmas lights in the corner of the churchyard at the intersection of Middle and Pollock Streets is named the “Molly Heath Tree.”

Caroline attended Sunday School on the second floor of the Parish House. She remembered the stage where the young children sat in a circle. A little train would run around in the circle and the children would put money in the train for their Sunday School offering. Bertha Duffy made a model boat which was put up front of the church on Easter and the children would put their Mite boxes in the boat.

Caroline’s mother was Octavia Hughes Dunn. Caroline’s grandmother, Caroline Ann Hughes, was very active in Christ Church. Mrs. Hughes used to teach Sunday School at the All Saints Chapel on Pollock Street. Octavia Dunn did not believe in early confirmation and Carolina did not get confirmed until she went to St. Catherine’s.

Caroline was married to Dr. Charles Hall Ashford in Christ Church in 1932, with the Rev. Ilbert deLacy Brayshaw officiating. She wore the long white dress which had been her mother’s wedding dress. The bridesmaids also wore long white dresses. For this candlelight wedding no electric lights were used.