Obituary of Robert David Carolina,Sr.

Robert David Carolina, Sr., 76, affectionately known as "Sonny", departed this life on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Born on Jan. 14, 1945, in Mayesville, SC, he was a son of the late Jerry Carolina, Sr. and Rosalee (nee White) Carolina. Sonny joined Galilee Baptist Church in Mayesville at an early age, where he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. A graduate of Eastern High School in Sumter, SC, he played football and was a school bus driver. After relocating to Baltimore, MD, he met and married Barbara Allen and had two children, Tami Allen and Robert David Carolina, Jr. Sonny made his career as a truck driver, retiring from Carolina Freight Carrier Corporation. Sonny was known for being "sunny". His spirit was bright and wherever he went he spread joy. He was kind, gentle, soft-spoken, and easy-going - a peaceful man who didn't like confusion, tension or strife. Sonny just made you feel good being around him. He was not judgmental or critical, but always tried to share words of wisdom when needed. He greeted everyone with a smile, and he had a naturally easy way about him. A lover of old school soul and R&B music, he was also a self-taught world historian, often surprising everyone with his deep knowledge of many subjects, especially geography. He could name the capitals of all 50 states. It's no surprise his career path allowed him to travel throughout several states, which he enjoyed, and although he never left the US, he travelled the world and even the cosmos using apps on his smart phone. He loved to explore different countries and cultures. Sonny had a wonderful sense of humor, a very active imagination and was a great storyteller. Many may not know, but he was a very good cook! He specialized in baking chicken, turkey wings, BBQ ribs and made a hearty meatloaf. He loved talking about the good ol' days growing up in Mayesville. Although he was a humble man who enjoyed living a simple life, he believed in working and felt proud that he was able to find jobs as a young boy and even in his senior years. His greatest joy was being with his family. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle. He loved his family and tried to be there for special moments like attending his grandson's football games or watching movies with the family. His personable demeanor allowed him to make friends easily and he enjoyed the pleasant exchanges he had with neighbors and people who he happened upon in life. Once you were his friend, you had a friend for life. In addition to his wife and children, he leaves to cherish his memory: grandsons Thorn (Tracey) Allen, Trevor Allen and great-granddaughter Tameir Allen all of Baltimore, MD; sisters Azalee Lesane (Glenn Dale, MD), Katherine Carolina (Mayesville, SC), Rovena Rice (Decatur, GA); brother Jerry Carolina, Jr. (Joann) (Roselle, NJ); brothers-in-law David Luckey, Sr. (Bronx, NY), O'Neal Lesane (Lynchburg, SC); and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Annie Mae Luckey (Bronx, NY), Vernice Margaret Lesane (Mayesville, SC), and brothers-in-law Jonathan Lesane, Sr. (Baltimore, MD) and James Arthur Rice, (Decatur, GA). Sonny's memory will never fade. We will hold him close in our hearts forever until we meet again. A homegoing service for Mr. Carolina will be held on Thursday, November 18th at the Vaughn Greene Randallstown Chapel, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD where the family will receive friends from 10:00AM -11:00AM with services to follow. The interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery immediately following services.