Carlynn Annette Ross Bartlett

Carlynn Annette Ross Bartlett died peacefully at the age of 85 on August 2, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. She was beautiful throughout her life and was graciously cared for by the loving staff at The Springs in Lake Oswego.

Carlynn was born on July 23, 1939, in Eminence, Missouri to Carl Ross and Ada McHaney Ross. She is the 4th child and had an older brother Jim, and two older sisters, June and Betty Lou. She grew up in Kennett, Missouri which is located in the “Boot Heel” of the state. Carlynn had an ideal childhood. Her mother was one of 7 sisters and 5 of the sisters settled in Kennett and had homes next door to each other. This meant that she could go to school and play with her cousins every day.

Carlynn had an Irish Setter named Stevie who would walk her to school and then meet her at the school in the afternoon to walk her home. She always loved dogs and proceeded to have many over the course of her life along with several cats. Carlynn attended and graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. While at “MIZZOU” she was the head baton twirler/drum majorette for the Marching Mizzou. Carlynn was very excited to graduate and be accepted into the department store, Stix, Baer and Fuller’s assistant buyer training program. Although she loved working for them she had an opportunity to move to Southern California to live with her brother and his family, she jumped at the chance.

While living with her brother Jim and his wife Gwen in Orange, CA she worked at another department store, Bullock’s, and attended classes at Chapman University where she received her teaching credential. During that time she also met her husband, Don Bartlett, at a New Year’s Eve party put on by the Seafarers, a young adult ministry of the Methodist Church of Orange. Don and Carlynn were married on August 21, 1964. Don was involved in agriculture specifically Lemons, Oranges Grapefruit, and Avocados.

Don and Carlynn lived in Corona, CA after they were married where Carlynn taught 5th grade for a short time and Don managed Lemon groves. They quickly moved to Fallbrook, CA and began their own business; Bartlett Grove Management. Don’s clients had avocado and citrus groves. During this time they started their family having two daughters, Karen and Stephanie. After a few years they purchased 40 acres of land in Valley Center, CA where they built their home.

Carlynn opened her first clothing store in 1971 in Valley Center. It was named appropriately; Carlynn’s. Over the course of many years Carlynn had several clothing stores: one in Valley Center, two in Escondido, and one in Carlsbad, California. She had her last store in Carlsbad up until she moved to Portland in July, 2018. She was in business for herself for 47 years. Carlynn was very influential in her community. She was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts, 4-H leader, Miss Valley Center Beauty pageant coordinator, Teen Fashion Board Coordinator, and taught at the Escondido Adult School – Fashion Merchandising.

Music had always been a true love of Carlynn. She played the piano and always participated in the United Methodist Church Choir. She once traveled to New York and sang with her church choir at Carnegie Hall. She loved going to see musicals and was pleased to watch her granddaughter Maegan perform in several musicals. Carlynn also loved to travel and has been to Australia, China, Europe, Alaska, and enjoyed a Canadian Rockies Rail excursion.

Carlynn was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Don; her brother Jim; her sister Betty Lou; and her son-in-law Jim. She is survived by her daughters, Karen Hood and Stephanie Makarounis; her grandchildren Maegan Hood, Henry Hood, Hanna Makarounis, Christos Makarounis; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Services will be held at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Beaverton, Oregon. A Trisagion will be held Thursday, August 8, at 7:30pm. A Funeral will be held Friday, August 9, at 11:00am. Interment will be at a later date in Fallbrook, CA

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to:

St. John’s Building Fund – go to donations on left side of page, and select BUILDING FUND in drop down.

https://stjohngoc.org

OR

Marching MIZZOU:

https://mizzougivedirect.missouri.edu/fund.aspx?item_id=770

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