Lallage Carouthers Obituary in Shelby at Enloe Mortuary

Obituary For Lallage Carouthers

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) Go to the Enloe Mortuary website homepage and press the Facebook icon. This will bring you to the Facebook page.
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.

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I've been thinking of you and praying for you, Stephanie. What a beautiful picture of your mother! What an amazing life she lived! I will always remembering her singing and her clapping hands about a duck, quack, quack song she sang. Love you!

Beth Callahan

Ms. Lallage, was a light to the Shelby Hospice Church Watchman Team. She faithfully attended the quarterly meetings, participating with her insight and contributions via Waddell Chapel. Stephanie, sending love and prayers to you at this time. From: The retired retired Community Coordinator of Hospice Cleveland County

Bishop Sharon Martin

My Condolences to you Stephaine your mom and I was close friends. Prayers lifted 🙏

Angie Bell Smith

Stephanie you are a special light like your Mom. She will be with you again in our heavenly home.May she rest in peace. Love from Rita,Robert and CJ.

Rita Benson

Stephanie, Gary and I are sending you our love and prayers for strength, comfort, and peace for your aching heart.
Your mom was such a force of nature: determined, strong, service-oriented, faith-filled, and fierce in her love for you.
Praying that your many wonderful memories help ease a tiny bit of the grief, and do bring you some comfort for the days ahead.
Love, Beth and Gary

Beth Whisnant Thomerson

My sister Stephanie, may you and your family find comfort in knowing that your Mother is resting safely in God's care. Know in your heart that she is always watching over you.💕🙏🏾

Wanda Reid

Stephanie, my heart goes out to you. As a fellow only child, I know the pain and heartbreak that comes when we lose our parents, especially our mothers.
Your mother was a wonderful lady as well as one of the cornerstones of Waddell.
Praying for you and the other members of your family as you go through this time of mourning. May our Lord and Savior give you strength and comfort in the coming days, months, and years.

Mavis Jones

Dear Stephanie, my heart goes out to you in the loss of your beloved Mother. You shared a very special mother-daughter bond that was most admirable.
Your Mother was "a long time" faithful member and servant leader at Waddell Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church along with my beloved parents and I will forever cherish their precious memories.
Ms. Carouthers is finally at peace in her Heavenly home and rejoicing with her dear friends, David, Julia and Darryl Banks!
Love you dearly, Stephanie and keeping you close to my heart with prayer!
Cheryl Banks-Barber and Elton Barber

Cheryl Banks-Barber

Sending prayers to you Stephanie 💜

Sharon Hoey

Lallage had a smile that could light up any room, and wit and spunk like few I've ever met! I always enjoyed her stories and looked forward to any time I was fortunate enough to spend with her. She had a way of caring for others and lived a beautiful life of service. She will be missed by many.

Elise Hurst

My condolences to Stephanie and the family. Lallage was a dedicated volunteer with Hospice Cleveland County (HCC). Even after moving to Charlotte, when I visited, she showed me her HCC volunteer nametag that she had kept. Lallage was proud to be a part of HCC and it was an honor to have known her.

Krista Haynes

Lallage was a bright light and one of my favorite volunteers ever! Her smile and calm demeanor brought so much comfort and joy to many of our patients. I always looked forward to seeing her and hearing one of her many stories and she always made me laugh with her straightforward manner and opinions. She will be greatly missed. A life well-lived with integrity and courage.

Cindy Spain

Sending Condolences and Prayers. Ms. Llage was a great Hospice Cleveland County Nurse and very supportive to the Hospice Watchman Churches.!!

Bishop Sharon Martin

Such a Kind, Beautiful Lady who cared for me when I was a little boy at then Shelby Hospital. Rest Well and Well Done

Tripp Barrow

My Condolences and prayers for the Family.

Isabeller Logan

My condolences to the family

Kim Morrow

Stephanie So Sorry to hear about your Mom God Rest her Soul Praying for you and the Family.

Shirley Ann Borders Montgomery

I am so sad to hear of her passing. She was a wonderful nursing instructor and I also worked with her in PCU at CRMC. My sincere condolences to her family!

Fran Moritz

WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, PLEASE KNOW THIS OUR PRAYERS AND HEARTFELT THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU, MAY THE LOVE OF GOD FAMILY AND FRIENDS BE OF COMFORT TOE YOU. SHES GONE BUT SHE ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS. R.I.P. LALLAGE. FROM MR&MRS MICHEAL LEE GOOLSBY CHARLOTTE , N.C.

MR&MRS MICHEAL LEE GOOLSBY / BRENDA SHADE DABBS)

We would like to send our sincere condolences and prayers for you my dear sister Stephanie. We pray that God grant you peace,sincerity, and strength during your time of bereavement. We love you! Vernon & Gayla crocker

Vernon & Gayla Crocker