Carolyn Jean Shines Merritt was born November 20, 1940, in Durham, NC. She was the third born of four daughters to the late James and Bessie Shines.
Carolyn attended Durham City Schools where she graduated in 1958 from Whitted School.
In 1962, Carolyn, married the love of her life, the late Carl Dencie “Demp” Merritt, Jr., three children were born in this union.
She worked as a Manager/Supervisor at Gold Kist for over 30 years. During her years at Gold Kist, she traveled to several countries to start up Poultry plants before her retirement.
Carolyn joined her beloved husband and became a member of First Calvary Baptist Church until her passing. During her membership and until her health started to fail, she was very active. She served as a member of the Deaconess Board, Chancellor Choir and later the Sr. Choir. Also, during her membership she was crowned Mother of the Year.
Carolyn was also an avid bowler in the UBC Adult league and served as treasurer for many years. Tournaments took her to many states, (which was right down her alley of travelling), and she collected numerous trophies during her competitions. She was admired dearly by everyone in the bowling league. Travelling was her passion, whether it be by plane, bus, car or boat, she was always ready. Shopping, cooking and spending time with family was also her passion.
Carolyn was called to her eternal home on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. She will be missed by all who knew her as “Ma”, Grandma, Auntie, Sister, Sister in-law, Friend and the one and only “Mema”. She was devoted in all those roles.
She was preceded in death by her husband Carl Dencie “Demp” Merritt, Jr., two sisters, Doris Degraffenreidt and Ernestine Brunson and both parents, James and Bessie Shines. She leaves to cherish her memories four children, Kicoma Mansha, Carl Merritt, III (Mary) and Yvette Reeves (Samuel), bonus son, Anthony “Razor” Shines (Leanne), 1 sister, Delois Hall (James), four grandchildren, Henry McLean, IV, Kiccarol Mclean, Tayron Reeves, and Kierra Reeves, two bonus grands, Antoinette Shines and Devin Shines (Kristin), three great-grands, Carl Montague, Hensley McLean and Kaleb McLean, three bonus great grands, Riley, Mia and Lazarus and a host of beloved relatives and friends.

Funeral Arrangements:
Service: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | Visitation Service starts at 11:00 am | Funeral Service at 12:00 pm.

Place of Service: First Calvary Baptist Church, 1311 Morehead Ave., Durham, NC.

"We do not own copyrights to the background music."