Obituary: Carolyn Rouse Newcomb
Ms. Carolyn Rouse Newcomb, age 76, passed away Tuesday evening, February 27th, 2024, at ECU Medical Center in Greenville. Born November 7th, 1947, she was the second child of Jessie J. and Mittie Edwards Rouse.
Carolyn was reared on the family farm in the Maury Community of Greene County and, like many of her generation, a strong work ethic was taught tilling the soil; a work ethic that she carried throughout her lifetime. Following graduation from Greene Central High School she continued her post-secondary education at Weslyn College for one year before transferring to East Carolina University where she earned her undergraduate degree in education with membership in the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She began what would be a career spanning more than fifty years teaching at the Walstonburg School after graduating college. While the vast majority of her career was in Greene County, she taught for two years at Eureka School in Wayne County while also completing her graduate degree earning a Masters in Library Science from East Carolina University.
The majority of her tenure in public education was as the Librarian at the Snow Hill Primary School but also included roles as a Kindergarten Teacher in the dual language program, Librarian at Greene Central High School, and tutorial coordinator at the Greene Early College High School. Carolyn believed in education and its ability to change a person’s life; she never forsook her devotion to helping someone learn and gain knowledge.
A longtime resident of Snow Hill, in 2009 she realized a dream of constructing her first “new” house; it was a home that love truly built. Her son, a general contractor, facilitated the construction of the designed and engineered plans they drew together that was appropriately dubbed the “Emily Christopher” in honor of her grandchildren. She moved into the new home in 2010 and has ever since enjoyed furnishing it with a collection of cherished family furniture and pieces she acquired along the way, most recently with friends on antique auctions and hunts. Carolyn appreciated fine hardwood furnishings, both new and old, as well as unique artwork and mementoes she framed and hung throughout her home; each piece had a story all to its own.
It was Brooks Frizzelle Memorial Methodist Church where Carolyn attended from birth through much of her adult life and while she still maintained her membership there, the last many years she had been a very active participant at the Snow Hill Presbyterian Church.
She was engaged in her community and advocated for causes she believed in and fought against wrongs and wastes she saw; her petite statute of size but unwavering energy to that in which she was passionate often had others labeling her the “energizer bunny”. She was independent, devoted to her family, loyal to her friends, always a southern lady who appreciated good manners and a handwritten note on fine stationary, and most often adorned a trademark strand of pearls which she deemed appropriate for all occasions; it can be said that “hers was a life well lived”.
The immediate family that cherishes her memory and grieves her loss includes her only son, Bryan C. Newcomb; two grandchildren she adored, Christopher Newcomb and Emily Newcomb; her devoted sister, Martha “Sista”Rouse Lee; nephew, Howie Lee and wife Dawn; great-nieces, Ariel Lee (Cody Ingram) and Amber Lee; and a generation of great-great nieces and nephew including, Amelia, Olamae, and Kasey. Additionally, are several close and special friends as well as countless colleagues and students from her long service in public education.
In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by a special brother-in-law, Ralph Lee.
The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 3:30 – 4:45 PM at Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service. Funeral Services will follow at 5:00 PM in the Chapel of Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service with Pastor Scott Hardy officiating.
Committal Services will be held privately at the Snow Hill Cemetery where she will be interred with her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Carolyn R. Newcomb Memorial Scholarship Fund, Snow Hill Presbyterian Church, c/o Bobby Glossip – Treasurer, 201 Hines Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.taylor-tyson.com
