Carolyn Crayton Remembers “Dear Friend Neva Fickling”

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s been nearly 60 years since she was crowned Miss America,
but if you ask close friend Carolyn Crayton she’ll tell you Neva Jane Langley Fickling’s sparkle never faded.

In 1970 Lee Crayton and his wife Carolyn were deciding on a big life change, and it all started with a drive down Ingleside Avenue.

“We saw the beauty of those trees, oh we fell in love with Macon, and that helped make the decision to move to Macon,” says Crayton.

She’s talking about Yoshino Cherry Trees. Crayton says that’s how a friendship grew between her family and the Fickling’s. That’s also how a bond blossomed between herself and Neva Fickling.

“You just can’t imagine how hard it is to give her up,” says Crayton.