Mrs. Carolyn Grooms-Bowens, 74, daughter of the late Alice "Bertha" Collins and James Stroud, Sr. was born September 1, 1943 in Charlotte, NC. She departed this life April 6, 2018 after a brief illness. Following the death of her mother, she moved to Winston-Salem with her Aunt Cassie Thompson.

Carolyn had various jobs. Before obtaining employment at Burlington Industries, she did domestic work. After Burlington Industries relocated, she earned a high school diploma from Forsyth Technical Community College. She then began working for Carolina Narrow Fabric, until retirement.

She became a member of Solid Rock Baptist Church, where she gave profoundly to the youth department. Her passions were shopping, children, and her son-in-law, Maurice Bishop.

Carolyn leaves to cherish her precious memories her husband, Willie Charles Bowens; her daughters, Lolita LaVette Holiday and Shannon McKay Bishop (Maurice); step-daughters, Sharon McBride, Barbara Lou Burton (Leroy), Carine Bowens and Wilise Bowens; one nephew, Reginald Daniels (Christa); god-daughters, Harmoni Adams, Jammaria Jackson, and LeVunya Marlin; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; special sister friends, Hattie Gentry, Esther Gibson, Nellie Myers, Rayponzia Couthen, Jackie Self, Clementine Barr, Ronnie Penn, Margaret McKay and Brenda Morris; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Kendra Davis Burch officiating. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12:00noon on Saturday at the Church.