LELAND — Genice Marie Carroll (nee Johnnie Mae Carlisle) was born Aug 29, 1931, to Idella Owens-Carlisle and Sam Carlisle Sr.
The tenth of fifteen children, Genice grew up on a hundred-acre family farm in China Grove, Pike County, Alabama. She was very proud that they were one of the first Black families in the area to own their home and land–where they raised animals and grew everything from cotton to corn to collards.
She had to walk six miles cross-country to reach school, with her big brothers sometimes carrying her over the very muddy parts. But it was worth it. Academically gifted, she won valedictorian in junior high.
At the age of nineteen, she joined the great migration north. She met and married Phillip F. Carroll in York, PA, where they lived together for 52 years until his death in 2006.
In York, Genice started out as a house cleaner but went on to build her own successful draperies business. She consulted with interior designers and private clients, to design and sew slipcovers and window treatments.
For family and friends, she made wonderful quilts which keep us warm to this day.
Her relationship to plants was legend. At home, she tended seven beautiful flower gardens and a large vegetable garden which helped feed her family of seven. She also grew indoor plants, including many African Violets.
During her time with the Salvation Army, she rose to the rank of sergeant major, the highest civilian rank.
Subsequently, Genice became an active member of the Emmanuel Church of God in Christ. A deaconess and director of their food pantry, she was also in charge of the Hospitality Committee. In addition, she and Phillip took care of the church gardens.
In 2008, she moved to Leland, NC and joined Salvation and Deliverance Church, where she was a Church Mother and very active with The Good Samaritan Food and Clothes Pantry while her health allowed.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, David Allen, and her siblings, Rozell Still, Lillie Mae Turner, Jimmie Carlisle, Corrie Clarence Carlisle, Sammie Mae Jackson, Deanna Whitted, Governor Carlisle, Arthur Lee Carlisle, Barbara Steele King and Leola Orr.
She is survived by her children, Pricilla Lynch, Vienna Carroll (Katharine Saxby), Clayton Carroll, Laura (James) Beveridge; by her siblings, Sarah Moultrie, William Carlisle, Jerry Carlisle; and by her grandchildren, Karen Cross, Rodney Walker, Selina Preston, Clayton Carroll II, Chanda Carroll; by her godchildren, Joe Wintermyers, Jason Ehrhart and Terri Williams; and by her great grandchildren, Aysiah, Mumtaz, Anastasia, Levi, Jaezon, Skyler, Timothy, Lava, AJ, and Simone.
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