Mrs. Carrie Pauline (Davis) Bynum

A Celebration of Our Family Matriarch

Dignity, elegance, gentle, spirit, strength, love, helpfulness and humble are all words that describe this great woman.

A Time to be Born

Carrie Pauline Davis Bynum was born on Thursday August 30, 1934 in Warrenton, NC, the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. P.G. Davis and Bettie Garnes Davis.  She was the second child of six children.

A Time to Live

Carrie attended the Warren County Public Schools and graduated from John R. Hawkins High School.  Always a smart, intelligent, and loving woman she was an asset to her family.  Carrie was raised in a Christian home as a “preacher kid”.  As a young child she joined the Edwards Grove Baptist Church. She learned the word which gave her joy maintaining it throughout her entire life.

A Time To Love

Carrie met Chester Clifford Bynum after she relocated to Chapel Hill, NC. They were married February 6, 1954. They began their life together and she was the angel of his life for 49 years until his death in 2003.

A Time to Serve

After graduating from high school, Carrie being the ambitious woman that she was, attended Watts School of Nursing in Durham, NC.  She earned a nursing degree and became a licensed LPN and worked in the New Born Nursery at UNC Memorial Hospital for 13 years.  There is when the love for children grew and her loving nurturing traits blossomed.   Carrie became a mother figure to four of her siblings as they followed her to Chapel Hill. They all went to school, worked and lived with Carrie as they developed their lives.  She continued to be that loving mother to many children in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community whom she dearly loved and cared for.

Her Strong commitment to children led her to Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center in 1966 where she worked as a Child Care Teacher, Director of Infant Nursery, Supervisor of Home Visits and Home School Resource Teacher.  In 1986, she won the C. Knox Massey Award, given annually by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for outstanding service.  Carrie retired after 35 years of service and continued to work as a part-time consultant at the center for another 10 years.

Carrie has always been busy with her work in the community and church.  Many roles include, Girl Scout Co-leader, Adolescent Parent Advisory Board, 4-H Advisory Board, Co-founder of the Black Alcoholic Awareness Group, Volunteer at the Community Kitchen, Volunteer for 4-H camps for At Risk Children, President of Lincoln Park Community, Foster Parent, Member of the Women of Distinction and Secretary for the Fourth District of the New Hope Association for 15 years.

Carrie joined First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill.  She was a very dedicated member and volunteered in many organizations to include a few: Sunday School Teacher, Junior Choir for 35 years, new member class instructor, member of the Board of Christian Education, Food Committee, BTU Coordinator and Deaconess.

Much of Carrie’s enjoyment came from spending time and being committed to her family.  She also loved talking with her siblings, caring for her nieces and nephews was especially fond of her children who affectionately call her “Ma”, “Ma Bynum” and “MaMa”.  They all were the light of her life and she lovingly spoiled everyone she met.  Many would follow her home or just stop by to eat her good cooking, especially the Warren County Corn Pudding.  Carrie always had something for everyone.

A Time to Rest

After a short illness and valiant fight, Carrie responded to the call of her Lord.  She gracefully gained her wings early Monday morning November 22, 2021.  God dispatched his angel to her bedside and whispered “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.  At that moment Carrie accepted the invitation and took flight.

A Time to Say Goodbye

Carrie was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Chester; her parents Rev Dr. P.G. Davis and Bettie Garnes Davis; her siblings, Timothy Davis, Rev. Norman T. Davis and Mary Davis Caldwell.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories one daughter, Cathy Barnette (David) Carrboro, NC, one sister Constance Williams, New Port News, VA, one brother, Kenneth Davis (Elizabeth) Chapel Hill, NC,  daughters, Odision Edwards and Family Chapel Hill NC, Cassandra Bullock and family Durham, NC, Jena Dolby and Family Graham NC, Dana Dolby and Kassidy Plummer, Carrboro, Sister in laws, Lucille Poteat Carrboro, NC, Johnnie Mae Snipes, Durham, NC, Julia Mae Harris, Maryland, Hazeline Atwater, Chapel Hill, NC, Juanita Davis, Apex, NC, Two Brother in Laws, Johnson Atwater, Jr. (Lula) Chapel Hill, NC, and Hillard Caldwell (Rena) of Glynn, LA.  Two very special and dear friends Marie Riggins, Chapel Hill, NC, and Kuma Thompson Carrboro NC, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A Chapter Completed

A Page Turned

A Life Well Lived, A Rest Well Earned

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