Carolyn Jean (Davis) Headley, devoted teacher
Carolyn Jean (Davis) Headley, daughter of the late Roy Bailey and Lillie May (Knight) Davis, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, at Country Rest Home in Greenwood. She was born in Fairmont, W.Va., Feb. 4, 1938, and had just turned 83.
Carolyn graduated from East Fairmont High School and attended Fairmont State College. She was a motivated college student, attending summer classes while working two jobs, and graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in education in just three years. After college, Carolyn married Jackie Headley, moved to Grafton, W.Va., and started a family. However, employment opportunities were slim, so they moved to Harford County, Md., in 1962 where she was hired as an elementary school teacher in Dublin. A year later she transferred to the Home Economics Department at Edgewood High School, where she walked to work because she didn’t have a driver’s license until the mid-1960s. Carolyn continued her education attending summer classes, nights and weekends too, until she received her master’s in education. Carolyn retired from teaching after 33 years with a legacy of fairness, generosity, and mentoring students that extended beyond the classroom to neighborhood children.
Carolyn and Jack were from humble beginnings and worked hard for everything they had. In later years, she cared for Jack at home for 13-plus years before he passed in 2013. In the middle of Jack’s health issues, they moved from Maryland to Lewes in 2007. There Carolyn enjoyed book club, ladies’ luncheons, and trips to see her family, the Amish country or Williamsburg. She also enjoyed family history. Carolyn loved taking care of her house and filling it with one-of-a-kind folk-art pieces and antiques. Her other passion was working outside and tending to her plants and flowers. The outside of the house was as well-kept as the inside.
In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband Jackie Headley; her brothers: LeRoy Davis (Virginia “Jenny Sue”) and Allen Ray Davis; sisters: Kathleen Doris Davis, Mary Jo Davis and an infant sister. She is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law Robin Lea Boyd and Michael Boyd of Stewartstown, Pa.; one remaining sister, Janet Davis of Fairmont; nephew Glen Davis (Damaris); niece Karen Montelone (Joe), both of Ohio; many great-nieces and great-nephews; cousins: Virginia Ellis, Jean Davis, Chris Martin, Debbie Knight, Roselean Reese, Susan Dempsey, Larry Lawson, Terry Lawson and Gloria Hainey, all of West Virginia, and Iris Hyson of Virginia. Carolyn is also survived by nephew John Arthur of Iowa; and nieces: Sharon Moore of Arizona and Margaret Zenn of Colorado.
Carolyn’s courageous decision to quit chemo and live the last months of her life with poise and dignity is an inspiration to us all. She managed her affairs and met with friends almost up until the end. Carolyn was overwhelmed by her friends and neighbors who selflessly volunteered meals, assistance, and true friendship throughout her battle with cancer. She was truly blessed. As with Jack, she chose to donate her body to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Research. A private burial at Oak Grove Baptist Cemetery near Grafton will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that in her memory each person perform a genuine act of kindness for someone in need.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
