Carolyn Jackson Taylor

Carolyn “CJ” Taylor of Durham, NC, made her transition on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Duke University Hospital, with her sister Susan Woods by her side.

Carolyn was born on June 19, 1946 in Asheville, NC, to the late James R. and Elizabeth Henry Jackson.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond Taylor and brother, James Jackson, Jr. 

She graduated from Stephens-Lee High School in1964 and was a member of ASCORE (Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality), a group of politically active students who took on the challenge to correct racial injustice and dismantle the color barriers in restaurants, movie theaters and other public facilities in Asheville.

Carolyn attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Health Education (1969) and later obtained her master’s degree in counseling (1978).  Carolyn’s professional career spanned ten plus years at Public Service Gas Company, where she served as Manager of Customer Accounting in their Roxboro office.  She later joined Person County Social Services Agency as a caseworker until her retirement in 2008.

Carolyn was a beloved Soror of the Roxboro Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Roxboro LaSertoma, Democratic Campaign Committee-Roxboro and the Roxboro NCCU Alumni Chapter.  As a member of St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, she was an active volunteer until her health declined.  She enjoyed sorority events, participating in political campaigns, mentoring young mothers and dining out with friends. 

She is survived by her sister Susan Jackson Woods (Michael) of Clinton, NY; cousins Mary Ruth Fortune and Michael Fortune of Asheville, NC; sister-in-law Robbin Strickland (Otha) of Louisburg, NC, three nephews Christopher Woods of Clinton, NY, Donnie and Marcus Pollard of Louisburg, NC; step-daughter Yolanda McCright of Rockaway Park, NY; stepson Derrick Bass of Louisville, KY; BFF’s- Mary Butler and Pecolia Beatty (guardians); her adopted Butler family and a host of friends.

To honor Carolyn, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, charitable contributions be made in Carolyn’s memory to: Triangle Aphasia Project Unlimited, 171 High House Road, Suite 11, Cary, NC 27511.

Viewing will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Alan L. Lawson Mortuary Chapel from 11:00 am until 12 noon.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Alan L. Lawson Mortuary Chapel, 209 Chub Lake St. Roxboro, NC 27573

Eulogy by Reverend Amanda Dixson, Pastor of the Longhurst Memorial United Methodist Church, Roxboro, NC.

Final resting place- Person Memorial Cemetery 3250 Durham Rd. Roxboro, NC 27573

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn Jackson Taylor, please visit our floral store.