Aunt Carol was an amazing woman who accomplished so much and wanted the same thing for the younger generation. While we may not talked on the phone often, she has always encouraged me through email and cards throughout the year. During my senior year of high school, she completed my tour of colleges by taking me to Northern Arizona University. The drive was long and filled with more music than chatter. It was then that she dubbed me "the woman with few word".  

Chrissy and Uncle Albert, may you find peace and joy in the Lord and know that you will see her again. Much love to you all.





Aunt Carol,

I will miss that smile of yours every time I would see you. I will miss your favorite words to me when you saw me” well what’s going on”? In your auntie carolyn voice. Lol... 

Aunt Carolyn I always admired and loved how real you were. You always said what you meant and meant what you said. I will miss you auntie until we meet again. Love you forever. Give aunt Maybaby a hug and kiss for me.😘

I remember My Aunt Carolyn coming to visit my family in Philadelphia, I must have been around 10 years of age. We would sit and watch Star Trek together and because of Aunt Carolyn I became a “Trekkie”!!  Aunt Carolyn was adventurous and loved trying something new. While visiting me in Germany we stayed in a “Hostel” in London, while accepting my BA Aunt Carolyn encouraged me to never stop growing and while helping my mother during her battle with cancer she told my sisters and I God was in control.   During the times I spent with Aunt Carolyn I learned to be resilient, determined, confident, self-assured, compassionate but fierce. Aunt Carolyn loved getting together with family. She would just sit and look with a smile, that to me was the best feeling in the world to her; being around “Family”!!  I will miss Aunt Carolyn but the memories I have will live in my heart.  To Uncle Albert and Christina my prayers are with you daily. 

Valarie Moorer

Carolyn, my "common sense" sounding board.  I looked forward to our "washing & ironing" day calls (Mondays).  I still have a hard time not picking up the phone and calling to share my week with her, and to hear her take on things.  Nothing seems real until you share it with "Mrs. Carol."  We shared so many adventures as we grew up, some good - some not so good (got us in trouble), but we could always talk about our "stuff."  She was a woman of substance. She was the epitome of "A strong Black Woman."  I will endeavor to be as strong as she was - - bouncing back in spite of the situation - - with that "take charge" attitude.  If you told her a secret, it stayed secret.  She never made you feel beneath her - she would tell you the truth about the situation, but always had an encouraging remark at the end.  I will miss my sister.  The bright side is that I look forward to seeing her on the other side along with our other three sisters, our brother and parents.  Life rushes along, and we rush with it .... Mr. Al and Christina my heart and my prayers will always be with you and thank you for sharing "Mrs. Carol" with me and my family for so many years.  May the Lord comfort all of us with His presence & peace and bless us with His love.

Sister-in-law, and Aunt, Mary L. Moorer

I am Carolyn’s sister in law and she has been a part of my life for almost forty five years. In recent years we talked more frequently and I loved the fact that we could talk for ages on the phone. Nothing superficial with Carolyn - it was all good and meaningful conversation! I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to visit recently when she was well enough to go out to lunch and play cards. She was real. She was happy in her own skin.  She had a wonderful gift for listening and not judging. I loved her like a sister and I miss her. 
I wrote the following lines on the plane journey as I travelled to celebrate her life. I felt too emotional to give voice to them then but perhaps now is the time to share these thoughts. 

Can’t believe we’re here.
Can’t believe we’re doing this. 
But we are
And it is real. 
Such a time is often referred to as a “season of life “but none of us are ready for this season. 
Not for this woman we honor and celebrate today. 
However, it is made easier because of who she was. 
How special she was and how special she always will be to all of us gathered here today. 
We remember her with love and laughter. 
She was a rock in this family. 
She was unique. 
She was Carolyn. 
                        **********
My love to Albert and Chrissie. We will always be family. 


Remembering the 2002 family reunion -AR.   I believe  Cal had a blast!  She seem to b a fun-loving person.  "You  done made it over & it's  alright now! " To the immediate  family :" Hello " Keep  your hand n God's hand & hold.... on!!!      From the Family of Aunt Georgia!!!   PEACE-------------------

My Aunt Carolyn has been one of the most strong and encouraging women I have known in my life.  She  consistently throughout my entire college career (spanning nearly 5 years) sent me a card once a month to encourage me to never forget the end goal, of pushing forward through the tough times and to remind me of where I came from.  Aunt Carolyn came to my college graduation over 4000 miles away from her home and smiled from ear to ear the entire weekend - she was so proud.  I am incredibly honored to be a part of a family that honors the tradition of educational rites of passage, one that acknowledges what it means to be Black and Educated, and sets a standard for others to follow. Aunt Carolyn always raised the bar, always expected the best of her daughter, her nieces and nephews, and those around her. She always gave her best to whatever the situation whether work, family, or a card game and in turn others rose to support those high goals.  But while all of these are noble memories of my Aunt - my most fond memories are of us laughing together.  She had a laugh that made you laugh, and it was a full body laugh, and one that came from deep within.  She knew how to have a good time and always invited others to join in the fun - Aunt Carolyn was quick to share her thoughts - but spoke from a place of care and concern - her 30+ years of work experience made Aunt Carolyn a wise and wonderful woman - a kind heart but guided by common sense.  To Christina and Uncle Albert - the void she has left behind is huge I am sure, but the lives that she has touched, the impact that she has made on others, and the memories that have been left behind in the hearts of so many are still here.  The poem from the funeral is below and feels as though it were written just for her.   I love you both. Keeping you both lifted in prayer -- Elizabeth Bowers Cook

My friend Caroyln,

I met Carolyn over 22 years ago when I transferred to the Lancaster DCFS. Upon my arrival I was told that she was strict and ran her unit military style, and that I should avoid being in her unit. Well... I quickly found out Carolyn was one of a FEW people that was competent and knowledgable about the job and policies. Carolyn lead by example, she was very competent and expected the same from her  subordinates. 

I would sometime attempt to visit (socialize) with her in her cubicle. She would engage briefly and then say “well I have to get back to work”. 

Once while  out at lunch, Carolyn said to me "it’s time to get back to the office."  I replied, "can I just let my food digest?" Carolyn then said, your food will digest during the drive back to the office. Carolyn would always adhere to her “good county job”, work and break hours. 

Carolyn was very private and didn’t engage in gossip and that’s what I admired most about her. In our 20+ year friendship I’ve never once heard her say anything negative about anyone. Carolyn never asked for any favors during the duration of our friendship, besides when she asked me to watch over her daughter in her absence . Now that day is upon us, I promised you then and I promise you now that I will always be  there for Chrissy. 

I will miss our casino trips, card games, and Jack Daniels cocktails. I know that in this life we are all just passing through for a brief time, but I surely do miss you.

With Love, 
Ruthie

What a remarkable woman the world has lost.  Ms. Carolyn Lee help change and shape my life and due to her support and guidance, I have been able to succeed in many parts of my life.  I will always love Ms. Lee and be grateful for the times we've spent together and the influence she has had on my life.  Ms. Lee you are greatly missed.  

To the family, I'm so sorry for you loss, I want you to know that Ms. Lee was in my daily prayers and I will continue to pray for the family during this difficult time.  

There are no words to describe what my Aunt Carolyn means to me. I have a tremendous amount of respect, admiration,  trust, gratitude, fear ( in a good way; more of a fear of disappointing her), and absolute love for her. In so many ways she was like a second mother to me. I have so many memories to hold on to including driving around in different  cities to find the ghetto to see how others lived, long drives to Las Vegas as a kid, seeing her when I woke up from surgery in high school, various graduations, and of course sitting across the table from her as her spades partner. I will forever be grateful and aspire to be as strong, corageous, bold,  caring, and real  as she was. My heart is with my uncle Albert and cousin Christina at this time and always. 

First my condolences to the family.   Like many others, I was shocked to hear of her passing.   I worked with Carolyn for many years at the DCFS Lancaster Office, often sitting next to her in our cubilce offices both in Lancaster and Palmdale.   " General Lee"  as she was often referred to by many, knew her job.   While she may have enjoyed her job, her family was first and foremost.   Rest in peace Carolyn.       

I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Lee in 2006 when she supervised me while employed at DCFS. I remember everyone saying how strict she was and how they called her General Lee, because she ran her unit like the military. By far she was the best supervisor that I ever had.  Mrs. Lee I admired an respected you so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.  You will be greatly missed. My condolences to Albert  & Chrisy so loved you both dearly .. rest peacefully Mrs. Lee 💙 1 of your unit daughters Nancy Davis

OBITUARY

Carolyn Bowers-Lee

December 4, 1945 – August 28, 2018

Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery

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