Carolyn O. Taylor-Gale

Carolyn Obretia McNair was born at home on August 12, 1943, in Kinston, North Carolina, to the late Augustus and Delia McNair. The family moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she attended elementary school and later moved to Wilmington, Delaware where she attended Bancroft Middle School. Carolyn graduated from Howard High School in 1961 where she was a majorette in the band. At Howard, she received an award for three years participation in the school choir and an excellence in acting and performance award from the Howard Drama Club. She was also selected to be a debutante by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Carolyn attended Delaware State College for a year before being joined in marriage to the late Earl R. Taylor. To that union was born Marcia, April, and Timothy. As a young mother, she enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and making creative fashions, especially during the 1960’s and 1970’s.

As an employee, Carolyn had a calming influence on her patients at Delaware State Hospital. To advance her career, she graduated from Delaware Technical and Community College as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1973 and continued to work as a psychiatric nurse on the Adolescent Ward.

Carolyn was actively involved in the Wilmington Third District Civic Association. She was granted official commendations from the Wilmington Police Department for twice stopping violence in her neighborhood. She later joined the Delaware Department of Corrections as an officer and was promoted to lieutenant. After her career in corrections, she worked at the Martin Luther Homes where she enjoyed providing a caring residence for her clients who were people with disabilities.

She was affectionately known to family and friends as “Strawberry”, a nickname given by Anjel the oldest grandchild, when she purchased a Strawberry Shortcake sheet set for her during the early 80’s.

On July 17, 1993, Carolyn was joined in marriage to George Gale. The couple was introduced by their mothers, the late Evangelist Delia McNair and the late Lorraine Jarmon who were best friends. Carolyn and George enjoyed road trips and going to parks to watch softball. Once, Carolyn coaxed a Canadian goose into the back seat of their car when they lived in South Carolina. Carolyn also enjoyed studying the word of God. To deepen her knowledge, she enrolled and graduated from the Jameson Bible College in 2004.

Strawberry was an avid Philly sports fan and enjoyed watching the Eagles, Sixers, and Phillies teams on television. She called herself “a homebody” and the kitchen was her favorite place. Music was her solace and Berry enjoyed listening while cooking for her family and friends. She was known for her sweet potato pies, crab cakes, turkey salad, and many other delightful dishes. She enjoyed eating seafood and soul food and you could always find mints in her pockets. Strawberry’s hobbies included cooking, vegetable gardening, water aerobics, and watching her favorite television shows: Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, and the Big Bang Theory.

Strawberry was full of unique, colorful sayings that revealed her philosophy on life. She also had numerous wise sayings from her nursing background. Her birthday was a big family celebration that included a barbecue with family and friends gathered for great food, fellowship, music, and games.

Before her illness, Carolyn was a faithful member of New Destiny Fellowship and was previously a member of: Outreach Christian Church; New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina; Greater Bethel Apostolic Temple; Universal Christian Community Church; and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Augustus McNair and Evangelist Delia McNair; brother, Selma McNair and mother- and father-in-law, Lorraine Jarmon and Pastor Oliver Jarmon. She peacefully transitioned to her eternal home with the Lord on March 2, 2023, at the Christiana Wilmington Hospital after a long illness.

Carolyn leaves to cherish her memory: husband, George Gale; children, Dr. Marcia Taylor, April Taylor, Timothy Taylor, Sr. (Angela), Barbara Austin; brother-in-law, Shadeed Rashada; sister-in-laws, Kay McNair, Sheila Hyman, Alvera Stewart, and Barbara Ann Stewart; grandchildren, Anjel Taylor, Obretia France (Joseph), Ariel Taylor, Alexis Watson (Marcellus), Timothy Taylo,r Jr. (Aubrey), Franklin Benson, Charles Morgan, Josiah Morgan, Larry Campbell (Rashada), Sabbabu Campbell, Grace Johnson, Rodderick Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Monique Dyton, Christina Johnson, Esha Johnson, Kelle’ Avent (Carlos); great-grand-children, Julius Inge Jr., Aveyonna McLeish, Laila France, Cashmere McLeish, Rudy Taylor, Savannah France, Abigail Taylor, Joseph France, II, Taylor France, Timothy Taylor, III, Malachi France, Aminia Campbell, Nzingha Campbell, Asante Campbell, Deshawn Keys, Tiffany Keys, Sabbabu Campbell Jr., Brandon Chesney, Gabrielle Marchman, Autumn Johnson, Lyric Avent, and Gianna Hess; five great-great grandchildren; one great-great-great grandchild; devoted nieces and nephews Samonda McNair, Eric McNair, Tyra McNair, Kelly McNair, Matthew Turner, Omar Rashada, Bayyinah Cunningham, beloved Inge family and a host of relatives and friends.