For 77 years we embraced the unconditional love of God in the slender frame of Carolyn Wallace Alexander. On January 8, 1945, God placed a baby girl into the care of John Wayne, Sr. and Amazine Lockhart Wallace. From that day she was a Daddy's Girl… the apple of her earthly daddy's eye all the days of his life. She returned to the eternal care of her Heavenly Father on Monday, June 13, 2022.

Carolyn was always a treasure to her family. Two older brothers; Johnnie, Jr. (D) and Ronnie were her champions. As the only girl in the home during their childhood, beware if you ever tried to mess with her! Carolyn quickly became the epitome of a "Mother's Helper" doing everything she could to assist her Mama after the births of Terry, and twins, Waylon and Wade. Carolyn was devoted to and cherished by her brothers. With her Daddy and five brothers, Carolyn and her Mother, would be the only females in their testosterone-filled home for several years. Carolyn was the Princess of the household. She was the only one with her own bedroom while the boys shared the bunkhouse. In her early teens, the third trio would produce a shift. David brought the male count to six. Carolyn considered him her baby and did all she could to care for and to protect him. She was sister-mama to David, Deborah and Rosezine. Carolyn finally had sisters. Once they started coming, girls would rule the roost! One Christmas, Mama and Rosezine got nostalgic about having little children to celebrate with. The solution, add some little people, Daddy embraced the idea and soon Kathy and Tyecia would join the family growing the Wallace clan to eleven siblings. The third member of their fourth sibling trio was Michelle, a sister through foster care. Niece Annisha was the last baby at home that Carolyn would nurture as a second mama. All those siblings would increase and enrich the family as they married. Carolyn's love expanded as she welcomed Earnestine (Johnnie), Christine (Ronnie), Dorothy (Terry), Anthonette (Waylon), Linda (Wade), Audrey (David) and Murphy Mobley-D (Deborah) and Johnny Stowe (Tyecia) as siblings-in-love.

Carolyn loved learning! She loved people! Our sister loved to laugh. She was a natural encourager of others and did everything possible to make every person feel special. She had high hopes and expectations for her future. After graduating as a proud West Charlotte Lion, Carolyn would travel to New York to work for a short time before entering Johnson C. Smith University as a Psychology major.

If we ever thought Carolyn loved family; after marriage, giving birth to her three children, took her maternal instincts to a whole new level. Rava, Richard and Regina were her crown jewels! From that point, she worked with the intent to provide the best life she could for them. She was hands on, totally involved. It was important for her to know and connect with the friends of her children. All of them loved Mama Carolyn or Ms. Alexander. She took time to speak into each of their lives. They never left her presence without knowing they were valuable and capable of doing great things.

Carolyn worked as Summer Enrichment Camp Director, serving Double Oaks and Amy James Community Centers for a number of years in connection with her big brother, Johnnie. For a time, she worked third-shift at Cannon Mills to be available to her children during the day. Her later working years until retirement were spent in the Executive Office of Carolinas Medical Center's Administrative Department. Carolyn worked to put her children through college. All graduated with one earning a Master's Degree. Rava (UNC Chapel Hill), Richard (East Carolina University) and Regina (UNC Charlotte).

Rava gave Carolyn a second son when she married William Colby. The marriages of her daughters produced four grandchildren that dethroned her children. You could see the total devotion of this grandmother to Emmanuel (Rava), Aireanna, Aaron and Autumn (Regina). Carolyn spent much of the last fifteen years of her life caring for those grandchildren while their parents worked. She especially spent a lot of time with Emmanuel because she lived with the Colby family. However, at various points all the grandchildren enjoyed having their grandmother as a tutor. They shared special outings - treats at their favorite restaurants or fast-food joints or other activities until health issues prevented her from driving. Each time the grands came into her presence, Carolyn would meet them with the biggest smile, hugs, and kisses; greeting them as if she had not seen them in the longest time, when in actuality it could have been only a day or a few hours.

Carolyn's son-in-love, William Colby (Wil) cared for her as if she were his own mother. He moved her into their home soon after Emmanuel was born. She valued having Wil in her life and was happy that he was devoted to her daughter and grandson.

Carolyn had a personal…an intimate relationship with God through Christ Jesus. She knew the Lord and endeavored to make Him known to others. She accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized by her father and served God throughout her life. She was a worshipper in her home, even more so than within the walls of the church. During her life, Carolyn was a member of and served a number of church families. She was devoted to Christian Family Missionary Baptist Church, where her brother Terry, Sr. serves as Senior/Founding Pastor. Had it not been for health issues, she would have remained an active participant. For a number of years, she was secretary for the Mecklenburg General Baptist Church Association. Every auxiliary wanted her as their secretary because of the level of excellence that she operated in.

When she could no longer get to her church, Carolyn began attending services with her children. She started new members classes at Victory Christian Center, completed four sessions, then suffered a stroke. It would be 2020 before she could complete her final classes. Carolyn loved Pastor Robyn & Mrs. Marilyn Gool. When she could not get to church, she watched the services online. On days when she felt the most pain, Carolyn would binge watch Pastor Gool's sermons on faith or his most recent series on healing. She texted family members to join her for the livestreams, sent quotes to family and refused to accept a call when it was time to worship.

Carolyn was never a wealthy woman by the world's standards but she was also a giver which brought a richness to her life. Even when asked not to give because family members knew her financial situation, she would say, "I believe this is what the Lord wants me to do." As a result, Carolyn sowed seed into a number of ministries. Her offerings assisted in the building of churches in Thailand and South Africa, support for Ruth Harbor Ministries – a Maternity & Mother-Baby Home outreach, restoration for victims of human trafficking, tuition for urban children to attend JCA Christian Academy and general encouragement for the pastors and congregations within her family. Her mantra was, "Put God first and He will bless you."

When Carolyn transitioned into the presence of the LORD, we can scarcely imagine what that moment was like. We do believe that the intensity of the love of Jesus overwhelmed her and she experienced the eternal healing that she could never have known in this realm of life. We equally believe that she was met by her parents - John & Amazine, brother – Johnny and brother in love, Murphy Mobley, along with a host of other family members. Carolyn will always be held dear in the hearts of her children, grandchildren and siblings. There is a special group of family members who captured her heart and who held her in theirs – her nieces and nephews. She is Aunt Carolyn to Kimberly, Johnnie-III, Renae, Aliesha, Ron, Jr., Terry, Jr., Letrice, Carson, Renita, James, Laura, Julia, Ericka, Sharon, Jackie, David, Daniel, Vontez, Shawn, Travis, Travon, Vanesha, Annisha, Justin and John. There's not enough time or space to list the great-nieces and nephews, the cousins and special friends that meant the world to her.

As the family spoke of Carolyn, none of us could ever remember a time when she ever spoke negatively about anyone. She purposed to make her words edifying and uplifting to each person the Lord brought across her path. Carolyn Wallace Alexander was a perfect example of how to lead a Godly life. It was a beautiful life. Now she is with her Heavenly Father, surrounded by family passed and enjoying the sweet beauty of perfect eternity. Do not be somber and dwell on the end of her earthly life, but rejoice and praise God because she has a new life.

Flowers are welcome, and other contributions can be sent to:
Grier Funeral Service
115 John McCarroll Avenue
Charlotte NC 28216
704-332-7109