Carolyn Lee McKinley Bridgeforth

Carolyn Lee McKinley Bridgeforth aged 74 went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the first day of December in the year 2017, in Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was born on April 12, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the eldest daughter of Lester Mckinley Sr. and Sylvana Lee Lyons Holley. Carolyn was flamboyant in her style, charismatic in her love for Jesus, education and music. She was an amazing, incredible woman. When she strolled down the hallways of a multitude of educational institutions in which she worked, she walked with grace, dignity, and integrity while ensuring that students were prepared in life for success. Carolyn enjoyed reading an array of literature, writing poems, and singing as a soloist all over the state of Virginia in many churches and choirs. She was an avid member in the Voices of Norfolk, a sorority sister in Zeta Phi Beta and a faithful member of the Twinks Social Club. Carolyn graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia with her high school diploma. She graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and received her Masters of degree in Reading Education at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Carolyn retired as an educator from Norfolk Public Schools System with over 40 years of service. Carolyn is survived by her daughter Robin (Brenton) Nelson of Jacksonville, Florida; two granddaughters Kimberly and Kelly Tinner in Fort Lauderdale, FL , great granddaughter Nicole Clarke of Fort Lauderdale , Fl., brother Lester Mckinley Jr. of Virginia Beach , sisters Maeola Quirley of Norfolk, Virginia, and Marolyn (Stanley) Edmonds of Norfolk, Virginia, two half-sisters Lula Guthrie and Regina Bardby of Baltimore, Maryland; nephews Stanley (Tameka) Edmonds of Chesapeake, Virginia and Stephen (Betty)Edmonds of Houston, Texas, Charles Quirley, Jr of Norfolk, Virginia, Lester ( Shauneta) McKinley, III Greensboro, NC, nieces Crystal Conway of Greensboro, NC and Cheri Lyn ( Zacchaeus) Miller of Sasebo Japan. She also leaves her beloved step-son Gary Barnett Lee of Norfolk, Virginia and her longtime, faithful companion Ronald Lewis of Norfolk, Virginia and a host of grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, close relatives, awesome friends, a plethora of co-workers and acquaintances.

Carolyn Lee McKinley Bridgeforth

April 12, 1943 - December 1, 2017