Carolyn Joyce Bryant Rackley, 74, of Kernersville, NC passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Carolyn was born January 4, 1950, in Rocky Mount, NC, to William and Marilyn “Joyce” Bryant. She married Timothy “Tim” Rackley in May 1971, and together they had two children, Timothy Bryant and Karen. 

A loving and compassionate woman, Carolyn put her faith first in everything she did. She was the matriarch of her family, always seeking to spread kindness and love to everyone she encountered. Carolyn was a long-time Sunday School teacher and nursery volunteer at First Baptist Church in Kernersville, NC, where she served as an extension of God’s love to the children that she had the privilege of ministering to. 

Carolyn’s love for her family was fierce and unwavering. She was dedicated support of her husband and children’s pursuits, often saying she enjoyed being the audience for their many musical activities. Her love and support continued with her grandchildren: Matthew and Emily Rackley, and Oliver and Edison Marsh.

Carolyn graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in 1968 and went on to North Carolina Wesleyan College, where she earned a bachelor’s in chemistry in 1972. She later earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1985. Carolyn had a successful professional career as a chemist with Abbott Laboratories and as a Quality Engineer with Allen Bradley, Gilbarco, and Lorillard Tobacco Company. She became a nationally Certified Quality Engineer and nationally Certified Quality Manager and was passionate about mentoring her colleagues to help them achieve similar certifications and advance their careers.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Tim; her son, Tim B.; her daughter, Karen Marsh and husband, Richard; daughter-in-law, Angela Rackley; four grandchildren, Matthew Rackley, Emily Rackley, Oliver Marsh, and Edison Marsh; nephew, Patrick Bryant and wife, Jamie; great-nephews, Mason Bryant and Nathan Bryant; sister-in-law, Gayle Smith; and nephew, Scott Smith.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, William and Joyce Bryant, and her brother, Richard Bryant.

A service celebrating Carolyn’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Kernersville, NC, with Rev. Jim Cohn officiating. The family will greet friends with a reception in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. A committal service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Forest Hills Cemetery in Nashville, NC, with Pastor Bill Rose officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donates be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com