Carolyn (Royal) Vann

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Carolyn Royal Vann, our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend on May11th, 2021 in Clinton, NC. Loved and admired by many in her 81 years, Carolyn served the community through her work and devotion to Sharon Pentecostal Holiness Church, and in her teaching position at Sampson Community College.

The eldest of six, Carolyn fondly spoke of helping raise her siblings. She felt blessed to be the first to go away to college, attending Emmanuel College in Georgia and finishing her teaching degree at East Carolina Teaching College (now ECU). “My sisters would be so happy to see me when I came home from school!” 

After college, she married the love of her life, John Margas, merging her Southern American roots with his Greek culture. Teaching him how to improve Greek dishes with Southern traditions, he was successful in the restaurant business in Greenville then Philadelphia, PA. They planned for a large family but his untimely death relocated the family back to North Carolina where Carolyn devoted her time to her two children, her extended family, and her church. She was later married to Charlie Dennis Vann, gained two more children, and soon took a position at the College working with adults with disabilities. Carolyn found new purpose and lifelong friends through her work teaching daily life skills like laundry and cooking, to computer skills and foundational academics. 

While possessing many talents, Carolyn may best be remembered for her cooking skills, especially fried chicken, Easter bread, chocolate and caramel cakes, and holiday cookies/confections. In the past ten years at Mary Gran, Carolyn continued to study the Bible, and taught staff how to make various favorites like apple jacks and banana pudding.

Carolyn is preceded in death by parents Raeford Hiram & Hursie Dowd Royal, husbands John T. Margas and Charlie D. Vann, and sister Suzi Fann. Survived in death by her children, Theo Margas (Teresa Crowe) and Tina Margas (David Fleischer), grandchildren Madison Bradford (Carter), Ashlyn Margas, Johanna Fleischer, and Johnathan Margas (Kayla); step-children Mike Vann (Donna) and Betty Norris (Greg), step-grandchildren Jordan Vann (Taylor), Holly Walker (Joseph), and Greyson Vann; siblings Rose Vann (Johnny), Margaret Berry (Pete), Marie Wheeler (Ronnie), Jr. Royal (Hope Sutton), and many, many dearly loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A walkthrough viewing at 10am, followed by a memorial service at 11am to celebrate Carolyn’s life will be held Saturday, May 15th, 2021, indoors/outdoors at Sharon Pentecostal Holiness Church, 2127 Odom Rd., Clinton, NC. 

Due to COVID restrictions, there will be NO receiving line to the family, and distancing and MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED indoors. 

If desired, flowers may be ordered through Bryant’s Florist in Clinton or memorials may be made to Sharon Pentecostal Holiness Church. Condolences will be received by the family online through Crumpler Honeycutt Funeral Home or at Legacy.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn (Royal) Vann, please visit our floral store.