Mrs. Carolyn Lovette Taborn

The family of Mrs. Carolyn Lovette Taborn, age 81, wishes to announce her passing which occurred on Saturday, December 25, 2021, at Hock Family Pavilion. Carolyn was born March 31, 1940 to Irvin Brinkley Taborn and Ruth Maye Taborn in Durham, North Carolina. Carolyn graduated from Merrick Moore High School in 1957 and later attended the former North Carolina College (now NCCU) in the mid-1960's studying Business Administration. She spent her early adult years in Durham as a community improvement and civil rights activist, working for the betterment of the underserved population in the city. she was a citywide performer singing with the NC Mutual singers, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church choir, where she was also an usher, and Greater Saint Paul where she was both a performer and director of a Christmas play. Carolyn was active in PTA and a Cub Scout den mother. She worked for Operation Breakthrough in the Head Start Program. In her later years, once the family relocated to Maryland, Carolyn continued to work as a community improvement activist in Gaithersburg, MD, establishing transportation and recreation for an underserved minority community. She became a resident manager for many years, ensuring proper screening for applicants trying to obtain fair housing. Her career also included management in the retail, hospitality, and fast food industries. She rounded out her career working for school systems in Prince George's County, Maryland, and both Durham and Orange Counties, North Carolina, where she retired. An avid reader, Carolyn owned many books and magazines of the day. She kept up with current events and was always anxious and ready to discuss with anyone politics, science, or religion, as well as the need to strive for a good work/life balance. She was a lifelong entrepreneur; a fashion designer and seamstress, and even upholstered furniture. As a seamstress, she created her own line of products under the name "Ms. Sew-n-Sew". She made everything from most of her own clothes, to wedding dresses, lingerie, costumes, draperies, and home décor items; the list goes on and on. Carolyn lived a full life of over 81 1/2 years, longer than her parents and all eight of her siblings so far. She had a dynamic personality, with a beautiful and bright smile; at the same time sweet and tough. She would unapologetically dish it out, and not retract when giving her viewpoint or perspective; a warrior and a faithful believer in God's will. However, she also had a kind and endearing side, and never met a stranger. "Go with God, and take God with you" were among her favorite sayings. Carolyn leaves to cherish precious memories, one daughter, Karen Michele Taborn-Gray; two sons, Kevin Taborn Sellers and Christian Omar Harrison; sister, Eleanor T. Johnson; brother, Miles Taborn; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and a host of extended family members and friends. A celebration of life will be held at Scarborough & Hargett Celebration of Life Center, Inc., 309 N Queen Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701, on Wednesday, January 5th; Viewing from 11:00 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. and Life Celebration Service at 12:00 noon. To view the Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Carolyn Lovette Taborn through Zoom Live Stream: Please click the link below to join the webinar, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86288565720? Webinar ID: 862 8856 5720 Passcode: 788307 In every effort to protect our families and their guests, face coverings are required.

Mrs. Carolyn Lovette Taborn

March 30, 1940 - December 25, 2021