A graduate of George Washington High School, Carol held leadership roles in the Music and Y-Teens Clubs and was a member of Gamma Lambda Sigma sorority, where she met her life-long friend, Nancy Cooper Harris. Nancy and boyfriend (and eventual husband), C.B. “Buzzie” Harris, introduced Carol to the love of her life, the late John Clark Everly, whom Carol married on December 11, 1961. Carol and John settled on Bryan Street, where they raised sons Josiah Clark and John Taylor before moving to their long-time residence on King Street. They also worked as co-operators of the Everly-Wheatley and Everly Funeral Homes.
A devout Christian, Carol was a 30+year member of First Baptist Church of Alexandria, where was active in bible study, Apples of Gold ministry, and volunteering in the infant nursery. She was accomplished at needlepoint, smocking, crocheting, and quilting, creating many beautiful family heirlooms. A consummate hostess, Carol entertained generations of business colleagues, family, and friends. She took great pride in her beautiful garden and loved seeing passers-by stop on King Street to take photos.
Carol will be remembered for her warm smile, infectious laugh, and her trendsetting sense of fashion, a rarity among the conservatively-dressed funeral home owners and families of the 1960’s. No one knew quite what to expect at events and conventions – especially her father-in-law, Josiah, who held leadership positions in the city of Alexandria and the Virginia Funeral Directors Association. Suffice it to say that Carol was always the life of the party.
But her most beloved role was that of “Grammy” to her adoring grandchildren. She never missed their soccer, basketball, football, T-ball or lacrosse games. She spent many joy-filled hours teaching them arts and crafts, and even creating games. When the younger grandchildren were struggling to compete in Scrabble, she created the Grammy-approved version of “Scramble,” where any word counted as long as it could be pronounced. She was an active force in their lives and was heard to say many times to each grandchild, “Love every little bone.”
Carol is survived by her sons, Josiah C. Everly and his wife Josephine W. Everly of New Orleans, LA and Alexandria, VA, and John T. Everly of Alexandria, VA; her grandchildren, Danielle N. Everly, Josiah T. Everly, Aaron C. Everly, Zachary J. Everly, Jackson C. Everly all of Alexandria, VA, Emmie (Casey) Saux, and Virginia Claire Saux both of New Orleans, LA; one brother, Edward A. Taylor of Alexandria, VA; sister-in-law Jean W. Everly of Lake Frederick, VA; and many more family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years John C. Everly, her parents Edward B. and Lilly Favill Taylor, sister Joyce E. Stancil and her husband James S. Stancil, and brother-in-law Julian W. Everly Sr.
A celebration of her life will be held on June 3, 2021 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA. A funeral service will be held on June 4, 2021 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King St, Alexandria, VA. Interment will follow at Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Carol’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Salvation Army.
