Carolyn Lewis Mosby, of Richmond, made her triumphant entry into eternity on October 1, 2024 at Ginter Hall South Assisted Living facility. She was born on March 6, 1937 in Lynchburg, Virginia to the late Mr. & Mrs. Wilbert T. Lewis, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Wilbert T. Lewis, Jr. Carolyn graduated from Dunbar High School in 1954 and enrolled into Virginia Union University. She was elected Miss Virginia Union in the fall of 1957. She was an honors graduate of Virginia Union University and received her B.S. degree in mathematics in 1958. She later earned her M.A. degree in Pure and Applied Mathematics from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1971 and her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1983.

Carolyn began her teaching career as an English and Special Education teacher at East High School in Buffalo, New York in 1959. She returned to Richmond in 1961 and began teaching at Blackwell Junior High School. In 1965 Carolyn was transferred to John Marshall High School and was the first and only African American teacher to be assigned there that year. She was promoted to assistant principal in 1971 and served in that capacity until she retired in 1974. She taught mathematics in the Upward Bound program at Virginia Union University and was hired as an assistant professor of mathematics and director of the Learning Skills Center. In 1975 she served as the Acting Director of the General Studies Department.

She became the first academic African American Administrator at John Tyler Community College in 1979 when she was hired to head the Developmental Studies Division. She later became Division Chair, Mathematics, Science and Allied Health Division. She retired from John Tyler in 1990.

Carolyn received many awards for her career in academia, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Virginia Union University and the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Math Department at Virginia State University. She was recognized as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1970 by the Kiwanis Club of North Richmond and served as a public member of the State Health Regulatory Board, appointed by Governor Linwood Holton. She was interviewed the The History Makers to share the challenges and accomplishments she experienced during the 70's. The video oral history interview is a permanent part of the HISTORYMAKERSCOLLECTION in The Library of Congress.

Cherishing her memory are her devoted, loving and caring husband of 61 years, Alexander “Jack” Mosby Jr.; two nieces, Rebecca Lewis Scott and Cegies Lewis Conner (Alphonso); two sisters-in-law, Jacquelyn Mosby Tate (Fred) and Joyce Turner Lewis; devoted neighbor, Ruth Walker and a host of many caring friends.

The family will receive friends at Scott's Funeral Home, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday,, October 10, 2024. A celebration of life will be held 12 noon October 11 at First Baptist Church of South Richmond, 1501 Decatur Street. Dr. Dwight C. Jones officiating. Interment private. Per the family's request, there will be no viewing.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may contribute in memory of Carolyn L. Mosby to The Scholarship Ministry of the First Baptist Church of South Richmond or to Virginia Union University. The legacy of this courageous and eloquent woman will live on forever.

Arrangements by Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd.