She was educated in the Calhoun County School System. At the age of 18, she moved to Plant City, Florida and later moved to Tampa, Florida making it her home. There, she attended Erwin Vocational School and obtained her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certificate.

During the early years of her life, Carolyn heeded the call of Christ and united with the St. Maryland Missionary Baptist Church in Leary, Georgia where she was a member of the choir. After relocating to Florida, she became affiliated with St. John Progressive Church of Tampa.

Carolyn was a devoted mother and grandmother who was diligent in caring for the needs of her family and ate not the bread of idleness. She was employed as a CNA until she retired after many years of dedicated service.

On Sunday afternoon, July 30, 2017, God called home his beautiful angel, Carolyn, from her labor to reward in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Beverly Avery; and her brother, Willie P. Carswell.

She leaves to mourn her death and cherish fond memories a devoted daughter, Dorothy (Joe Louis) Southers of Jacksonville, FL and a son, Nathaniel Reed of Tampa, FL; two granddaughters, Joanna Nicole Southers and Dominique Carlette Avery both of Jacksonville, FL; ten sisters, Harolyn Robinson of Winter Park, FL, Queen Esther Moore of Oakland, FL, Ada Williams, Dora (JD) Albritten, Mary Lizzie Oliver. Frances (Willie B.) Robinson, and Geneva Scott all of Albany, GA, Clary Singleton and Joan Johnson of Leary, GA, and Beulah Strong of Jacksonville, FL; four brothers, Donald Reed of Orlando, FL, Louis Oliver of Albany, GA, Johnny C. Oliver of Leary, GA, and Douglas Oliver of Tampa, FL; a son-in-law, Darron Avery; sister-in-law, Deloris Carswell of Albany, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.