Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick

Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick (June 25, 1945 – October 7, 2025) was an American politician. She was the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 15th congressional district and then Michigan's 13th congressional district from 1997 to 2011. She was a member of the Democratic Party.

Carolyn Kilpatrick
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Barbara-Rose Collins
Succeeded by	Hansen Clarke
Constituency	15th district (1997–2003) 13th district (2003–2011)
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office January 1, 1979 – January 1, 1997
Preceded by	Jackie Vaughn III
Succeeded by	Kwame Kilpatrick
Constituency	18th district (1979–1982) 8th district (1983–1992) 9th district (1993–1996)
Personal details
Born	Carolyn Jean Cheeks (1945-06-25)June 25, 1945 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	October 7, 2025(2025-10-07) (aged 80) Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Bernard Kilpatrick
Children	2, including Kwame
Education	Ferris State University Western Michigan University (BS) University of Michigan (MS)

In August 2010, she lost the Democratic primary election to Hansen Clarke, who replaced her in January 2011 after winning the 2010 general election.^[1][2][3]

Kilpatrick was also the mother of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Kilpatrick died on October 7, 2025 at her daughter’s home in Fayetteville, Georgia from problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 80.^[4][5]