Carolyn Yelverton (Ballance) Duke

Carolyn Ballance Duke died June 2, 2017, at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh.  Born September 19, 1929, to Harry Bryant and Carrie Yelverton Ballance, Carolyn grew up the fourth of six children on a Wayne County farm.  She maintained lifelong ties to the farming community through the farming and timbering of land she inherited. 

Active in Sigma Tau Chi Sorority, she graduated from Atlantic Christian College with a degree in Elementary Education. She subsequently taught school in Pikeville,  Efland, and Goldsboro.  In 1955, she married; upon motherhood, she left teaching to raise two daughters.  A devoted mother, she spent hours reading aloud to her young children, drove them and friends to countless extracurricular activities , and served as a Girl Scout leader.

For over 50 years, she attended First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, tending the nursery, volunteering on various committees, and serving as Deacon.  After church, she and other ladies in the Virginia Henderson Class enjoyed lunch at the Lantern Inn. Bridge club and beach trips filled her later years with fun and friendship.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Mary Ruth Lancaster, Sarah Ballance, Roscoe Ballance, Harry Ballance, and John Ballance.  Surviving family include daughters Jane Elkins (Steven) and Mary Cunningham (Tim); grandchildren Timothy, Joseph, and Anne; and many nieces and nephews.

The family thank the following for excellent care of Carolyn over the last year: the entire Brighton Gardens staff, particularly Lucille; the nurses at Rex and WakeMed Hospitals; and Transitions LifeCare, namely Bob, Joan, Jean, Kemoy, and Njie.

A visitation will be held at Shackleford-Howell Funeral Home in Fremont from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Friday, June 9th.  A memorial service will be at First Baptist Church of Goldsboro at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 10th, preceded by a 10:00 visitation. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Goldsboro, for the “Stained Glass Fund” or “Youth Ministry.” 

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