Lallage McConnell Carouthers, born in December 1936 in Cleveland County, North Carolina, was the daughter of John Henry and Ollie Mae McConnell. Raised in Grover and Shelby’s Shoal Creek community, she often remembered picking cotton beside her mother and praying that God would deliver her from the cotton patch.

A gifted student, she graduated valedictorian of Camp High School in 1953 and went on to attend Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Charlotte. She began her nursing career at segregated Shelby Hospital, where, at age 21, she became head nurse of the Drew Wing.

In 1968, Mrs. Carouthers became the first Black nursing instructor at what is now Cleveland Community College. Known for her high standards, compassion, and no nonsense approach to teaching, she helped prepare generations of nurses. She later earned her BSN from UNC Charlotte in 1986.

Her lifelong commitment to service included volunteer nursing and board leadership with Hospice of Cleveland County, service with the Council on Aging, and later volunteering with Via Health Partners.

A woman of deep faith, she was a devoted member of Waddell Chapel AME Zion Church, serving in numerous leadership and ministry roles.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Ollie Mae McConnell; her husband, Bill Carouthers; her sister, Velma Nance; and other beloved family members.

She will be deeply missed by her devoted daughter, Stephanie Kelly of Waxhaw, North Carolina, special friends, Frances Jackson, Rev. Dennis and Mrs. Belle McCleave, Jamie Cicali, and Sandra Ross, along with nieces, nephews, extended family, former students, friends, and the many lives she touched through a lifetime of service.

Her life was centered on God, family, and community, and she gave generously to all three.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 12:00 Noon at Waddell Chapel AME Zion Church. Burial will follow at Webb Memorial Lawns. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Waddell Chapel AME Zion Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Waddell Chapel AME Zion Church in her memory.

The service will be livestreamed from the Enloe Mortuary FaceBook page starting at 11:45 AM.

Directions for livestreaming:

1. 1) Go to the Enloe Mortuary website homepage and press the Facebook icon. This will bring you to the Facebook page.
2. 2) Starting at 11:45, simply scroll down until you see Services for Lallage Carouthers. Press in the area and this will connect you to the service.