G. Paul Carr

Paul was a proud native son of North Carolina, with deep roots in Duplin County, with a passion for faith, family, and service. Paul was born in the home in Stokes, North Carolina in 1936 to two public school teachers. He lived in Grimesland and Angier before the family settled in Hillsborough. He graduated from Hillsboro High School, UNC-CH, received a Master of Theology from Drew University, and an MBA from American University. He was a life-long learner who continued to educate himself in all manner of things affecting the public interest.

Paul and Jean Edwards Carr celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary a few days ago. They began their life journey with his service as pastor of a Methodist church in Everett, Washington. He next served as pastor in several Methodist churches in inner city Washington, D.C. during the civil race riots - he recalled the block around his church burned, but the church was left alone.

With a growing family and a zeal for reinventing himself, Paul then had several careers in urban planning and development, taking the family to Columbia, MD. Paul came home to NC in 1981, residing in Cameron Park, worked in real estate, then at UNC’s alumni association and ultimately as a highly successful fundraiser for the UNC-CH’s business school.

Paul had a lifetime of commitment to service to his community and to this State, focusing on housing and education. Paul co-founded Emmaus House in 1986, which provides transitional housing for homeless men in now four houses in Raleigh. Upon his initial “retirement” from the State in 2000, he initiated and co-coordinated a statewide K-3 literacy program. And, he continued to raise funds for ESCU, UNC-Pembroke, FSU and community colleges in need. He was particularly proud to help establish the Royster Society of Fellows at UNC-CH and the Maynard Fellows Program at ESCU. He received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society for his service to our State.

Paul attended Pullen Baptist Church and Duke University Chapel, where he proposed to his bride, and served on its Advisory Board. He was member of the North Caroliniana Society and the Thomas Wolfe Society.

Paul’s first passion was his family. His strong marriage to his inseparable wife Jeannie provided a firm foundation. He shined at large family gatherings, and always entertained us with prepared words. Paul had a zest for life, led a joyful life, remained beautifully zany, and was happy until the end. He was grounded in family values and family taking care of family. Paul’s kindness and spirit was evident to all he met. He was never known to raise his voice, fuss, complain, or speak poorly of anyone.

Paul is survived by loving wife, Jean Relfe Edwards Carr; daughter, Elizabeth Relfe Carr Nager (Bailey); son, Jonathan Paul Carr (Susan); son, Markham Lee Carr (Mercedes); seven grandchildren, Adams Gabriel Bailey (Hilary), Charles Keaton Carr Nager, Bryson Paul Carr Nager, Ella Lee Carr, Paul Waters Carr, Mercedes Joy Carr, and Henry Paul Bransfield Carr; a great grandson, Elliot Adams Bailey; brothers-in-law, Brian Edward Schaefer and Joseph Comer Barrett III; three nieces, Eleanor Schaefer Johnson (Joel), Jillian Relfe Schaefer, Lee Barrett Wilpon (Bruce); a nephew, Paul Carr Barrett (Sabine); grandniece, Zoe Joy Wilpon and grandnephew, Grady Johnson.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, Gabriel Paul Carr and Gladys Lee Sweatt Carr; his sister, Joy Carr Barrett; sister-in-law, Rebecca Lee Edwards Schaefer; and nephew, Joseph Comer Barrett IV.

A celebration of the life of Paul Carr will be held at Pullen Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC, on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at 2:00 pm, with a reception to follow at the church. A family burial at Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC will be at a later date. Services at Pullen will be livestreamed at the following link, https://vimeo.com/event/4503345/8671312ca5

In lieu of flowers, donate to Emmaus House, PO Box 27585, Raleigh, NC 27611-7585.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Service arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.