Carolyn Dianne Carter McClam was born on August 13, 1948 in Gulfport, Mississippi. She attended and graduated from Thirty-third Avenue High School and was one of eleven siblings. She continued her education at Mississippi Valley College in Itta Bena, Mississippi. She soon accepted the call of duty to serve our country and joined the Army and through the army worked as a nurse at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

Mother Carolyn married, later divorced, and had 3 children, Ericka McClam (Elliott McGlory) of Atlanta, Georgia; and Shun McClam, and Roderick McClam (Blondey Harris) of Gulfport. She was not only a mother but a grandmother of several loving grandchildren.

She loved traveling, spending time with her family, and enjoying the comforts of good 'ole soul food and listening to classic R & B songs. She always had a smile on her face and laughter in her heart. No matter what she had to endure she was always upbeat and lively and on the go. We all can reflect in our hearts what she meant to us, but it was in her latter years that the Lord quieted her mind, body and spirit. It was during this time that, perhaps, God was allowing her to hear His still quiet voice and come to know Him in a more personal way.

She is preceded in death by her mother the late Thelma (Carter) Johnson and her grandparents, the late Leon and Clementeen Carter. She is also preceded in death by six siblings Robert Walker, Ruthie McWilliams, Gladys Walker, Lenora Carter, Gloria Ross, and Baron Johnson, and leaves behind the following four siblings to cherish her memories: Jackie Morris of Jackson, MS; Raymond Johnson, Beverly Hebert, and Wendell Johnson (Heather) all of Gulfport, MS. She leaves several loving grandchildren, one great aunt, Dorothy Appleberry of Compton, CA; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family, neighbors and friends.

When asked by many of her beloved friends and family, "What will you remember most about Mother Carolyn?" Some answered, her witty sense of humor, the way she enjoyed family gatherings, or her big heart and her love for her family. As it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:17 which reads, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.