Carolyn Jean Whaley Taylor

Carolyn Jean Whaley Taylor, 85, a retired teacher died Thursday, May 28, 2015 after several months of declining health. The daughter of the late Alton Weaver and Geneva Murphy Whaley, she was born near Rose Hill in Duplin County on April 26, 1930. A graduate of Clement High School in Wallace, she attended Central Wesleyan College, Central, SC for one year before transferring to East Carolina College, graduating in 1952 with a BS degree in primary education.

On May 31, 1952, she was married to Gilbert Powell “Tommy” Taylor of Robersonville who passed away January 13, 2015. They made their home near Robersonville, before moving to Oak City in 1962.

Her dedicated teaching career spanned 37 years, touching the lives of so many young students. It began in New Jersey while her husband served in the U.S. Army. She later taught in both the Pitt and Martin County schools, and for 23 years at Hobgood Academy. Her love and passion for teaching helped her instill important values in her students that enabled them throughout their lives.

Carolyn was an excellent cook, and loved cooking for her family and friends, especially homemade cakes for every family member on their birthday. She took pride in making people feel special. She also took pride in attending ECU Pirate Sporting events, and enjoyed most of all tailgating with family and friends.

She was a member of Oak City Christian Church where she had served as a deaconess, secretary of the church board and Christian Women’s Fellowship. She was a charter member of the Oak City Woman’s Club having served as its first secretary.

Survivors include a son, Michael Gilbert Taylor of Cary; a daughter, Beth Taylor Nichols and husband Danny of Greenville; granddaughter Taylor Nichols Herendeen and husband Philip of Greenville; great-granddaughter Danna Grace Herendeen; sisters-in-law Sonja Griffin of Washington, and Diane Boone of Shallotte; brother-in-law Paul Harris of Robersonville. She was predeceased by her brother Alton Weaver Whaley, Jr.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 pm Sunday at Oak City Christian Church, 310 Commerce St., Oak City, NC. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 5:00 – 6:30 pm and other times at the home 311 Pine Street. Interment will be at Martin Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Oak City Christian Church, P.O. Box 9, Oak City, N.C. 27857, or to a charity of one’s choice.

The family wishes to thank all her caregivers for their love and support during the past several months.