Carolyn Pearline Henry was born September 9, 1947, to the parentage of Mr. Robert Lewis Washington, Sr. and Mrs. Mattie Russell Washington in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She was the 8th child of 11 children.

Carolyn attended Atkins High School in Winston Salem, NC. She was a former employee of Clocksmans Mill Textile in High Point, NC, and Brookridge Baptist Retirement Home of WS, NC.

She was a faithful member of Gethsemane Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC, until her health began to fail.

Carolyn was joined in Holy Matrimony to the love of her life, Mr. John Calvin Henry (Jaybird), in 1973, and to this union, three loving and caring children were born: Ms. Nannette Renee Henry, Ms. Shaleta Lavette Henry, and Mr. Vanshon Denard Henry.

On the morning of October 5, 2023, with family by her side, Carolyn beautifully transitioned this Earthly walk of life at Tranquility Care in WS, where she was cared for by Whitney Shore and staff. There, she was affectionately known as Grandma Carolyn.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters: Eltine Washington, Gloria Jean Washington, Annie Marie Washington, Linda Laverne Alford-Omondi, and Lettie Mozelle Washington; Three brothers: Thurmon Bernard Washington, Robert Lewis Washington, Jr., and Barry Gilbert Washington.

Carolyn was kind-hearted and outspoken, and she will be immensely missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator.

Pearline/Auntie/Water girl/Grandma, as she was fondly called, was part of the glue of her family. She proudly accepted this honor as she loved cooking large meals and hosting family gatherings while fussing about everybody eating up all her food and using up all her aluminum foil. A meal never ended without her saying, "Don't be using up all my foil." She was an outstanding cook! She also loved watching Walker Texas Ranger and The Jeffersons.

Her loving and devoted daughters will forever cherish her legacy of faith and love: Nannette Henry and Shaleta Henry; loving son Vanshon Henry; Sisters:  Shirley Mitchell and Mary Washington; Seven granddaughters, (very devoted) Shatoria (Quinton) Whiteside, Danesa Hunter, Kearia Hunter, Kaneisha Henry, Akasha Davis, Breyanna Davis and Teyanna Davis; Two grandsons: John Switzer, Jr and Vanshon D. Henry, Jr.; twelve great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews family and friends.

"TO KNOW HER WAS TO LOVE HER AND TO BE LOVED BY HER"

A celebration of her life will be held 12:00 pm Friday October 13, 2023 at Gethsemane Hope Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 11:30 am-12:00 pm at the church. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens.