The executive director of Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Inc., Carolyn Paylor, passed away on Saturday, April 16th.
Garry Daeke, development coordinator, told WIZS that his Facebook post on Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start Inc.’s page were feelings expressed directly from the staff.
He wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that our Executive Director Carolyn Malone Paylor passed on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Carolyn was such a kindhearted and caring person. She was truly loved by her family, community, and staff and will be sorely missed. No words will ever be able to express how much we will all miss her. Having her here supporting the staff and the community meant a great deal to us and not having her around will be an arduous task to handle.
“As Carolyn would have wanted, Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Inc. will continue working for our families and community. Please know that we are still as dedicated as ever in meeting the needs of our community and doing what must be done to keep this agency as great as Carolyn has built it to be. In the days to come, please keep her family and staff in your thoughts and prayers. It was a privilege and honor to work with such a woman. We will all dearly miss her presence.”
Mrs. Paylor is survived by her husband, Ricky Paylor. He indicated to WIZS News that the healing process had begun.
Heath Haithcock, a former co-worker of Carolyn’s at FGV, said on his personal Facebook page, “…I learned (Monday) that my former boss at FGV Smart Start died unexpectedly this past Saturday. Carolyn Malone Paylor was a good, Godly woman who worked hard on behalf of pre-k children everywhere. I am blessed to have known and worked with her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and the extended FGVSS family. I am proud to know you all.”
Daeke said he worked directly with Paylor for 18 years. He said, “We were just so overcome with grief. It was so sudden. I truly lost a very good friend and an incredible supervisor and leader in the community. She really loved Smart Start and what we were doing. We will figure out how to continue, but it won’t be quite the same.”
Carolyn Malone Paylor’s Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Davis-Royster Funeral Services, 926 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC 27536. There is an online tribute wall.
The funeral service will be Friday, April 22, 2016 at 12:00 Noon at Concord Missionary Baptist Church, 810 Walter Grissom Road, Kittrell, NC 27544.
Flowers should be sent directly to the funeral home. Cards and other items in memoriam may be sent to the home of her parents or the office:
Mr. & Mrs. Aaron & Mary Malone, 7 Malone Way, Kittrell, NC 27544.
FGV Smart Start, 125 Charles Rollins Rd, PO Box 142, Henderson, NC 27536.
(Quotes used from Facebook were used with permission.)