Thy Good and Faithful Servant Lady R. Carolyn Cahoon
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he was a remarkable woman of God, unusual educator, woman of compassion, love and forgiveness. She was a virtuous woman, an honorable woman, loving mother to her children and all children. She was the love of my life.” These are the words of Bishop William T. Cahoon about his wife of 47 years, 10 months and 5 days, Lady R. Carolyn Cahoon. On February 18, 2016, Lady R. Carolyn Cahoon was called
BY DIANNE KEEL ATKINS
to glory and in response to the remarkable life of this precious child of God, the outpouring of love was extraordinary. Family, friends, bishops from across the country, jurisdictional supervisors, international Church of God in Christ officers, pastors, other leaders and members of other faiths, educators, health care providers, social service organizations, municipal/government officials—more than
800— crowded into Wells Cathedral in Newark, NJ for her homegoing celebration. Three hundred who could not get into the church joined others viewing the service, which streamed live on the internet and garnered over 33,000 views.
•LOVING MOTHER, from their marital bliss, four children: Victoir, Pequita, Kara, Kori and 11 grandchildren continue her legacy. All four are high achievers, leading productive Christian lives and emulating the behavior of their mother and father, giving back to the community and church. Lady Cahoon devoted her time, energy, and dedication to motherhood as an exceptional calling. •UNUSUAL EDUCATOR, she treated education as an extension of motherhood. That translated into mentorship, effective teaching practices, creative curriculum development, role model, supervisor, assistant principal, and principal. She had fundraisers to support field trips so children from all backgrounds could be exposed to Disney World, Niagara Falls, etc. Her life impacted hundreds of children, parents, and staff over a 42-year career in the East Orange, New Jersey Public School system. •COMPASSIONATE, VIRTUOUS, AND HONORABLE WOMAN OF GOD, she wove a pattern of inspiration, strength, and loving perseverance to people from all walks of life and championed their causes when she felt she could serve as their advocate. Lady R. Carolyn Cahoon, gave her life to Christ at the age of 13, and never deterred from her Christian walk in dedication and devotion to her husband. A giving, highly perceptive, and forgiving woman of God, she helped others recognize potential they did not recognize in themselves, always giving a word of encouragement, inserting humor at the most appropriate times, always protecting right and alleviating wrong. She saw people not as they were, but as the hidden potentials not yet realized. She was a 16-year liver transplant survivor and her courage, perseverance, and faith in God became an inspiration to
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The Positive Community May 2016
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many on local, state, and national levels. On February 27, at Wells Cathedral, mourners echoed similar stories regarding the attributes of Lady R. Carolyn Cahoon from the 35 year-old father who remembers attending school when she was his teacher and the impact of her teaching was passed on to his own children; her personal physician who stated that she changed her life; the coach from Newark who said because of this remarkable, virtuous, compassionate woman, his life would never be the same; to the jurisdictional bishops, nationally, who use her as an example of courage and inspiration. The
Saints of God will immediately confess that her love for the success of all people will be one of the greatest attributes of her legacy. Her children will pass on each one of these attributes to their own children. She leaves a spirit -filled legacy to her family, the churches, and jurisdiction she so lovingly supported as well as her service in the field of education and services to the community at-large. Lady R. Carolyn Cahoon will never be forgotten. The Lord has befittingly bestowed upon her no greater reward than these words: “Welcome to your promotion into heaven’s gates, thy good and faithful servant.” www.thepositivecommunity.com May 2016 The Positive Community
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