Carolyn Permele Landes Boyer, 88, of Mountain Grove, Virginia, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her children on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

She was born March 2, 1938, in Mountain Grove, the daughter of the late Warwick & Juanita Ryder Landes.

She was married to the late Richard Merle Boyer, her husband of 62 years, who preceded her in death on August 6, 2021.

Carolyn was a registered nurse. She received her nursing degree from the Delaware Hospital School of Nursing. She provided decades of dedicated, compassionate, and skilled nursing to communities in Illinois, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her husband served congregations as an ordained United Methodist minister, and together they enriched many lives and created treasured friendships throughout their careers. Carolyn retired from nursing while working for Dr. Tarek Naguib in Enid, Oklahoma. She returned to Mountain Grove to care for her sisters.

Carolyn loved spending time with her family, playing dominos, Rook, cards, and board games with her grandchildren. Don’t let her innocent look fool you, she was a fierce competitor! She prepared delicious holiday meals, special, custom birthday dinners, beautiful table settings, and memories. She created one-of-a-kind counted cross stitch art and enjoyed many crafts. Carolyn was an accomplished tennis player, who won both league and tournament championships, and treasured the many friends she made along the way.

Carolyn loved Virginia wildflowers and shared her love and knowledge with groups throughout the area. She had a passion for the beauty of nature and poetry, especially Emily Dickinson. Known as the baby whisperer, Carolyn had a special connection with children and magical ways of calming a crying baby. Her grandchildren cherished the ways she made the ordinary seem so special, made them feel safe, and instilled in them the beautiful sense of self. She loved and celebrated each one for their uniqueness.

Her legacy of faith, love, generosity, creativity, kindness, and support will be felt for generations. Carolyn was a bright light in this world and she will live in our hearts forever. It would be her greatest joy for us all to be a light for others.

She is survived by three children, Cynthia Choate Otto & husband Michael Otto of Enid, Oklahoma, Philip Boyer & wife Kelly of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Andrew Boyer & wife Susan of Mountain Grove, Virginia; nine grandchildren, Shane Poplin & wife Addie, Channing Hardaway & husband Zach, Ty Boyer & wife Mira, Nick Choate & wife Bailey, Lauren Rushton & husband Alex, Connor Choate & wife Abbie, Joshua Boyer & wife Katelyn, Jonathan Boyer & wife Maggie, and Joanna Harrison & husband Brandon; seventeen great grandchildren, Hannah and Haizlee Poplin, Zach, Asa, Silas and Gabrielle Boyer, Brayden and Evelyn Rushton, Kinsley, Elise, and Lydia Boyer, Genevieve “Vivi”, Hogan, and Bishop Hardaway, Cooper and Sonny  Choate, and Charlotte “Lottie” Choate .

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by two sisters, Zona Landes and Margaret Landes; two brothers, Bill Landes and Jerry Landes.

The family expresses deep appreciation for Connections Plus Hospice and their caring, compassionate support team, and the many doctors, nurses, aides, therapists, and friends in the community whose love and support carried us through this journey.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026 at the Mountain Grove Community Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Interment will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery.