Carol Montgomery was a strong and highly intelligent woman who carried with her a deep sense of equity, fairness, and goodness. She was at home arguing about politics, women's rights, as well as the taste of food at a particular restaurant. Beloved by many, she was a pilot, avid volunteer, travel enthusiast, and an ambassador for all who sought a better life. Carol deeply believed in the accessibility and lifetime value of education. Born in Birmingham Alabama, She completed her undergraduate work at Armstrong State University in Savannah and her MA and Ph.D. studies at the University of California, Irvine. As an avid historian and educator, she taught at UC Irvine, St John's University (NY), Methodist University, Fayetteville State University, UNC Pembroke, and NC Community Colleges. Her love of the environment led her to volunteer in coastal NC and multiple tours at the Department of Interior recreation and refuge sites in New Mexico. Carol always loved research and learning; her studies were published in, Charity Signs for Herself, a history of female slaves and emancipation in the mid 1800's. Carol died in 2022 and is survived by her husband Mac and three grown children, Paul, Rhoda, and Mary, and their families. In Dr. Carol Montgomery, we find a woman whose life was a testament to the power of education, the importance of environmental stewardship, and the unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Her legacy continues to inspire us to strive for a better world, one where knowledge, compassion, and dedication prevail. As we reflect upon her life, we are reminded that even in the darkest of times, there are individuals like Carol who shine as beacons of hope and change.