October 8, 2025, 84, Goldsboro —
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carolyn Jo Wiley Hardison, 84, on October 8, 2025, at Navion Senior Living of Goldsboro.
Carolyn was born on November 10, 1940, in Goldsboro, the daughter of Lillie Bell and Gardner Wiley. Carolyn proudly grew up on “Cotton Mill Hill” and loved to share stories about her sister Pat and herself playing in the buildings of Borden Manufacturing. She often spoke fondly of the love and support shared among the people who worked at the mill, describing them as family. She especially cherished memories of her favorite uncles—Odie, Herman, and Hoover—who affectionately gave her the nickname “Smokey Jo.”
To Carolyn, family was at the center of her world and what she valued most. Together with her husband of 58 years, Tom, she raised three daughters—Robin, Shannon, and Andrea—and was blessed with four grandchildren and two great-grandsons. She loved taking her grandchildren to school after serving up some of her famous cheese grits, or surprising them with green eggs and ham. She could often be found cheering from the sidelines at soccer games, school programs, and dance recitals. Being with her grandchildren, watching them play and perform, was her greatest joy. To many not related by blood, she was lovingly known as Mama, Mema, or Aunt Carolyn—and she loved them all the same.
Where you saw Carolyn, you saw her sister Pat. They worked together, laughed together, cried together, and raised their children together. Her nieces and nephews were like her own children, each one convinced they were the “special one.” Her brother-in-law, AJ, was never considered an in-law but a true brother.
For ten years, Carolyn and Pat owned and operated The Children’s Boutique, where they found great joy in clothing many children in the community. After the boutique closed, the two continued working side by side at Brody’s and later at Proffitt’s Department Store, forming friendships that lasted a lifetime. After Proffitt’s closed, their coworkers became lunch buddies, meeting faithfully every other Friday for nearly 30 years. Work friends became work family. Those who preceded her in death were undoubtedly waiting for her to arrive and choose the next restaurant.
As dementia began to take the Carolyn we knew from us, one thing it could never take was her light. She had a tremendous love for people and delighted in making others smile and laugh. She was quick-witted, playful, and always ready with a joke. Perhaps most of all, she loved to dance. Carolyn couldn’t resist a catchy beat—whether at home, in the car, or in the halls of Navion—and by her own admission, she had some pretty good moves.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home, followed by a service to celebrate Carolyn’s life at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel. Interment will be on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Wayne Memorial Park.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Thomas Hardison; daughters Robin Salter (Nigel), Shannon Smith (Phillip Amodeo), and Andrea Hardison (Jim Adams); grandson Lee Watt (Sarah); granddaughters Susan Salter, Lauren Jessee (Todd), and Rebecca Brisson; great-grandsons Jayce Watts and Ryker Jessee; sister Pat Hamm; special nephews Jamie Hamm (Loi) and Scott Hamm; special nieces Tammy Floars (Daryl) and Michele Overton (Billy); son-in-law Wayne Smith; and best friends Pam Stackhouse and Billy Little.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillie Bell and Gardner Wiley; husband Herman Harris; infant son Patrick Harris; mother- and father-in-law Lanie and Herman Hardison; brother-in-law AJ Hamm; and son-in-law Daniel Brisson.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Amy Daniels, Sequoyia Bell, Jennifer Johnson, and the entire staff at Navion of Goldsboro for their loving care over the past months.
