Carolyn Baker Nall

Carolyn Baker Nall, 84, of Smithfield, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, with her daughters by her side.

Carolyn was born on January 19, 1942, on Nella Street in Chester, South Carolina, to Margaret Thomas Baker and Curtis Charles Baker, an active soldier serving in World War II. Her parents and grandparents, Ada Lipford Thomas and Abel Shannon Thomas (who served in World War I), all worked at Springs Mills in Chester. Her mother then worked in the business office of Chester County Hospital, where she worked until her late seventies. “Chee Chee”, as Carolyn was nicknamed, was a beautiful girl who won beauty contests, modeled locally, and obtained her driver’s license at age 14. She played organ at First Baptist Church of Chester during high school, played the lead in “Dear Ruth” during her senior year, and loved music throughout her life. After graduating from Chester Senior High School in 1960, Carolyn attended Furman University where she majored in Biology and Music with a concentration in Organ. At Furman Carolyn met classmate Joseph Trippe Nall, in the Fall of 1962. They married in 1963 during their junior year, and graduated together in 1964. Both Carolyn and Joe shared a love of music throughout their life and both sang and played together at home and with their children, creating priceless memories. After college, Carolyn and Joe lived in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Joe obtained a divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Carolyn taught anatomy at Broughton High School in Raleigh.

Carolyn and Joe originally moved to Smithfield in 1965 so Joe could serve as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church of Smithfield. They then relocated to South Boston, Virginia in 1969, where Joe was the pastor at Beth Carr Baptist Church. Their first daughter Molly was born during that time. After friends encouraged Joe to pursue law due to his speaking ability, the couple moved to Winston-Salem. During this time, Anna Kate Nall was born in 1972. After Joe’s graduation from Wake Forest in 1973, the couple returned to Smithfield permanently. Carolyn taught piano lessons and cared for Anna and Molly while Joe practiced law with the Mast Firm. Carolyn also served in the Garden Club and the Woman’s Club. She and other club members once collected enough Green Stamps to purchase a bus for the local Salvation Army. As the girls grew older, Carolyn resumed teaching and obtained multiple masters degrees from Campbell University in Curriculum and Middle Grade Science, as well as her Principal’s Certificate. She taught science at Smithfield Middle School, and also taught at the Alternative School, Four Oaks Middle School, and Clayton Middle School before retiring in 1996.

Carolyn devoted the majority of her time and energy to her family, putting her children Molly and Anna first. Following Joe’s tragic death in November 1989, Carolyn was a rock for her girls for the next 37 years, ensuring that both felt loved and ensuring that Anna Kate and Molly completed their education and pursued careers they enjoyed. Carolyn loved gardening and spent endless hours in her yard, nurturing her plants and surrounding herself with beauty and life. She had a green thumb, and could revive a nearly dead plant, transforming it into a masterpiece with nourishing love and care. She did that for her family and friends, too. Carolyn was genuine, direct and funny. She loved and cared for all animals. She expressed genuine affection to her family and friends, as well as to all little children who came into Anna Kate’s store.

Carolyn was an involved and loving grandmother to Anna and Gracie who loved coming to visit their “Nana” and playing in her house and beautiful yard. Carolyn insisted on remaining active and was often out and about with her friend Charlie Brown who drove her to go shopping and who helped her maintain her house and gardens.

Anna Kate’s gift shop was Carolyn’s favorite place to socialize with friends and customers. She could often be found dozing off on the comfortable sofa holding a rabbit or at her desk while she surfed the net for bargains. Carolyn never met a stranger and formed new friendships right up until the end of her life. Her sense of humor was infectious. Carolyn’s daughter Anna Kate, who lived nearby, devoted herself to helping Carolyn attend endless medical appointments, and checking on her throughout the day and night. Carolyn and Anna Kate’s bond was deep and unbreakable.

As Carolyn’s health declined in May, the staff at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield provided her and her family with a comforting environment where her daughters and grandchildren could spend precious days by her side. Innumerable friends visited and lifted Carolyn’s spirits with expressions of love and care, and brought beautiful flowers. She discovered peonies and insisted that they be planted in her yard. Her pastor Kristen Tucker from First Baptist Church visited her twice a day and prayed for Carolyn’s peace and comfort. Carolyn’s beloved grandbunny Jenkins sat on her bed on her final day. There is no doubt that Jesus welcomed Carolyn into heaven and that she is now free of pain, young and beautiful. We have no doubt that she is in the presence of her Lord and is spending time with beloved friends and family that preceded her.

Carolyn is survived by her daughters Molly Nall Howard and Anna Kate Nall; Grandchildren, Anna Sheridan Howard and Julia Grace Howard. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Joseph Trippe Nall, in 1989, and her parents, Curtis Charles Baker, in 2012, and Margaret Elizabeth Baker, in 2005.

Carolyn’s life will be celebrated at a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield, North Carolina, to be followed immediately by a reception at First Baptist Church of Smithfield in the Ryberg fellowship hall which all friends are welcome to attend.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at Parrishfh.com