Obituary of Carolyn V. Jolley

Carolyn V. Jolley (née Sharpe) passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Carolyn was born on January 25, 1936, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Leroy Mobley and Ella A. Sharpe. She was lovingly raised by her mother and grandmother, Margaret (Maggie) Baines, alongside her siblings: John Sharpe of Virginia, and Alvin Sharpe and Ernestine Woodhouse, both of whom preceded her in death. Carolyn attended and graduated from Catholic school in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 1956, she married James E. Jolley, Sr. (who preceded her in death), a naval officer. In the early 1960s, Carolyn—affectionately known as "Kine"—and James relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where they raised their growing family of seven children: Bonita, James Jr., Donna, Aaron, Byron, Michael, and Michelle. While dedicated to her role as a stay-at-home mother, Carolyn also opened her heart and home to other children in the neighborhood, caring for many whose mothers worked outside the home. Her deep love for children led her, in the early 1980s, to become formally trained as a foster mother through the Department of Social Services. For more than 20 years, Carolyn welcomed and nurtured countless foster children as if they were her own. Carolyn loved the Lord deeply. Her quiet strength, gentle spirit, and listening heart made her someone you could talk to about anything. Always joyful and positive, she was a source of comfort and encouragement to all who knew her. In the early 1980s, she became a member of Third Lutheran Church and later All Saints Lutheran Church, where she served faithfully for many years. Carolyn was an active participant in the Women's Ministry, Christmas Basket outreach, and the Bookbag Giveaway program, always eager to help wherever she was needed. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Bonita, James Jr., Donna, Aaron I, Byron Sr. (Veronica), Michael Sr. (Daphnee), and Michelle (Steven); her grandchildren: Craig, Tavon, Lanekia, Dante, Danielle, Antoine, Tashan, Christina, Byron Jr., Brandon, Faith, Maya, Esther, Aaron II, Torrey, Devan, Kelly, Kia, Breanna, Michael Jr., Brittany, and Shantelle; and forty-one great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her extended children: Jerry, Vickie, Darlene and Freddy, and her extended grandson, Duwande, along with a host of nieces, nephews, close friends, and her church family.