Carolyn Dillon, the trailblazing editor/publisher of The Tylertown Times and civic leader, died January 27, 2025 at Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, Ala. after a two-month illness.

Dillon was born April 13, 1945, and devoted her life to the betterment of her community through local journalism, beginning at the Times when she was 12 years old and spending the next 68 years documenting school board, board of supervisors and town aldermen meetings, recognizing the importance of a well-informed citizenry. She also understood the power of the newspaper as part of the fabric of the community – how the publication of birth, wedding and golden anniversary announcements helped bind people together.

Respected statewide among local newspaper operators, Dillon continued running the publication and served as general manager of radio station WTYL on a daily basis until she fell ill in late November.

For more than a quarter-century, she used the influence of the newspaper and her leadership position in the community to promote various civic projects and undertakings. She was active in the Walthall Chamber of Commerce for decades, promoting events that help define and make Walthall County recognizable all over the state.

Dillon was part of the leadership committee for the Walthall County Dairy Festival, now one of the longest-running and free festivals in the state. She also was instrumental in the creation and promotion of Christmas in the Park, a 430-acre light display that draws tourists from throughout the region.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Dillon was the proud parent of Dr. Cassie Kennedy Burns, a great-niece she raised as her own daughter. Burns is now a physician in Mobile. Dillon also was a thoughtful and generous friend and maintained lifelong relationships with those in the community, including many young adults she mentored through the years. She enjoyed hours-long phone calls with some of those closest to her and was a doting aunt and grandmother.

Dillon also was an avid reader and closely followed national current events, keeping her television on news channels nearly 24 hours a day.

Dillon is preceded in death by her parents, Wes Dillon and Lovie Dillon Pigott and stepfather, Arthur Pigott. She is survived by Dr. Cassie Burns, son-in-law Trey Burns and their children, Ethan and Gage of Fairhope, AL; a sister, Barbara Faircloth of Baton Rouge; a brother and sister-in-law, Dudley and Jackie Dillon of Tylertown; nephews Wes Dillon (Lindsay) and son, Wyatt of Miramar Beach, FL., Jeremy Dillon (Nikki), son Bryce and daughters, Leah, Reagan Accardo and Macy Accardo of Hattiesburg; Troy Martin of Baton Rouge; niece Madison Martin (Tyler Darnielle) and son, Perry of Baton Rouge; nephew Rob Kennedy (Sheila) of Ocean Springs, and daughters, Micah Craft (Trey) daughters, Avery and Mattie and son, Cooper, Chelsea Hill (Eric) and son, Caden Palmer.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 10:00 AM until funeral service at 11:00 AM at Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home, 412 Beulah Ave., Tylertown, MS with a private graveside to follow. Rev. Paul Smith will officiate. Hartman Hughes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers are Wes Dillon, Jeremy Dillon, Trey Burns, Troy Martin, Warren Wood and Doug Walker

Honorary pallbearers are Ethan Burns, Gage Burns, Bryce Dillon, Leah Dillon, Perry Darnielle and Wyatt Dillon.