November 22, 2021, 80, Pikeville –

Mr. Paul E. Hobbs Carraway, 80, passed on Monday, November 22, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Paul Elijah Hobbs Carraway was the eldest of two boys born to Paul and Jennie T. Hobbs on December 8, 1940. He and his brother were adopted and reared by Albert and Dora Carraway.

Paul did very well in school and excelled in mathematics. He graduated from Dillard High School in 1959. He learned to work hard from his father. He spoke often of rising early to help feed the pigs and performing other chores before sunrise. Doing so really prepared him for a long career in the construction trade.

A chance meeting at a party changed his life forever, there he met the woman who would soon become his wife. Within a year he was engaged to and married Helen Evelyn Dixon on June 29, 1963. This was no temporary union – he was always proud to say that his Momma Dora picked Helen for him! Her approval was important to him, and 58 years later is proof that he made the right choice. Together, their inexhaustible zest for life served them well as parents and full-time Christians.

Paul and Helen were exposed to the truth by a coworker. She in turn introduced them to her bible teacher, Mrs. Victoria Bridges. As a couple, they spent hours learning truths from the bible from her, and finally were able to fill a spiritual need that was missing for each of them their entire life. Before the birth of their third child, they symbolized their dedication to Jehovah God on November 26, 1971.

As dedicated Christians, they tried hard to train their five sons and their granddaughter Jasmine to know their Heavenly Father. Helen focused on studying the Bible with them, while Paul, an oral teacher, spared no effort expressing his faith to his boys on every occasion. They fondly remember reading aloud as he helped them prepare bible talks or riding in his truck discussing the theocratic procedure. The ministry and Christian meetings became a mainstay – a spiritual heritage was passed down.

Paul loved to laugh and enjoyed spending hours listening to and telling stories. His joshing humor kept the mood light on the many quick-built Kingdom Hall sites he helped with over the years. Paul’s true passion was training others theocratically and assisting those in need in and outside of the congregation. His faith in the bible’s hope of resurrection was sure, and this hope of living again on a paradise earth is shared by his family. Until then, he will be dearly missed; most notably by his wife, his “boys”, his grandchildren, close friends and his spiritual family.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Clarence Carraway, Sr. He is survived by his wife Helen, his eldest son Albert, his namesake Paul Jr. (Sabrina) his middle son Michael (Carla), his fourth son Bryan, and youngest Randy; his grandchildren Ila (Albert), Jasmine, Lilly, and Ari (Paul Jr.), Natalya and Randy Jr (Randy); his great grandchildren Javaris (Ila) and Keira (Jasmine). He is also survived by his sister-in-law Peggy Ann Carraway, his nieces and nephews: Michelle Peterson (John), Clarence Carraway Jr., Eric Carraway, Tracy Carraway and Travis Carraway (Star). Along with a host of great nieces and nephews and his spiritual family and close friends who he dearly loved.

Services of compassionate and distinguished class entrusted to J.B. Rhodes Funeral Home and Cremations of Goldsboro.