Carole Ann Campbell, 83, of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Elk Rapids and Alden, Michigan, passed away on April 10th in the loving care of her niece Carolyn Hoover after battling health issues for the past two years.

Born December 4,1940 in Laurel, Mississippi to Albert and Vernice (Vaughn Campbell, Carole moved to Foley, Alabama after high school. There she met and married Clyde Weir and the two purchased a gift shop from his mother and turned Souvenir City into their flagship operation in Gulf Shores, Alabama with its famous open-mouthed shark's head entrance. A Gulf Shores landmark, the store still flourishes to this day.

Carole was a true "Steel Magnolia". Whether traveling on safari in South Africa, running a successful business or building a hilltop retreat in Costa Rica, she faced it all with a sassy attitude and a disarming southern drawl. When Clyde bought a plane, she learned to fly. She was the first female pilot to successfully take off and land a plane at Foley Municipal Airport.

After rebuilding her Florida home in 2006 that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan, she moved north in her words to "get away from the heat, hurricanes and ex-husbands!"

She leaves behind a daughter, Andrea Franklin of Gulf Shores, Alabama; a sister, Barbara Jean (Douglas) Pemberton of Elk Rapids, Michigan; her nieces Carolyn (Michael) Hoover of Elk Rapids; Stephanie (Scott) Cauthen of Belton, Texas; Melanie (Carl) Jones of Laurel, Mississippi; Tracy Martin of Laurel, Mississippi, nephew Douglas (Annie) Pemberton of Rapid City, Michigan and Hilo, Hawaii; nine great nieces and nephews and four great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ralph and David Campbell; her great, great nephew, Theoden Micah Way and her beloved dog "Bear". The family would like to thank Munson Hospice, especially her wonderful nurse Bernadette.

A Celebration of Life will be held with family and friends in June. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the local organization "Love Thy Neighbor, Grand Traverse Region" by going online at www.lovethyneighborgt.org or by mailing a check to Love Thy Neighbor, P.O. Box 5114 Traverse City, MI 49696.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Carole's family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com < http://www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com >.

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.