Obituaries : Caryl Lefstad Lloyd

Caryl Lefstad Lloyd, 68, formerly of Vinton, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, in Columbus, Ga. Born July 18, 1944 to Max Eugene and Helen Dorothea Lefstad in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Caryl was a French teacher all her adult life. The family moved to Vinton in the 1950s and Caryl graduated from Vinton High School in 1962. She trained at the University of Iowa in 18th-Century French Literature with Pierre de Saint Victor. She taught at Columbus College, the University of South Alabama and the University of West Georgia. She was also department chair at the University of West Georgia. She was active in the regional affiliate of the 18th-Century society (SEASECS) , serving as its treasurer. Caryl was on the editorial board of Contemporary French Civilization and published many articles on Anne Dacier, Jules Valles and Leona Queyrouze. She was an activist and a feminist her entire life and recently espoused the cause of gay rights, having served on the board of Positive Response in Carrolton, Georgia. In 1966 Caryl married the love of her life, Craig Lloyd and had a beloved son, John Craig Lloyd. Caryl and Craig purchased a “fermette” in Brittany, France in 2001 and enjoyed many happy months there, including holidays with son John and his family. She is survived by husband Craig, son John Craig, his lovely wife Sian Wu and their two children Max Craig and Wren James. She loved being “Nai-nai” to her grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Jennifer (her good friend), brother-in-law John Maxson and their two children, her much-loved and very attentive niece and nephew Elizabeth and John Prescott Maxson, her beloved brother Barry James Lefstad, his wife Nancy and their children Brian and Erika, much loved niece and nephew. A memorial service was held Oct. 4, in Georgia. Caryl loved the following poem, read it for a Fulbright application once, and hopes it will bring peace to all: Je nommerai désert ce château que tu fus, Nuit cette voix, adsence ton visage, Et quand tu tomberas dans la terre stérile Je nommerai néant l’éclair qui t’a porté. Mourir est un pays que tu aimais, Je viens Mais éternellement par tes sombres chemins, Je détruis ton désir, ta forme ta mémoire... (Yves Bonnefoy. “Vrai Nom”, Du mouvement et de l’immobilité de Douve.)