Carol Ely Herman

Carol Herman passed away after a short struggle with cancer on November 15, 2024, at her home in Oriental, North Carolina.

Carol was born September 27, 1936, in Jacksonville, FL and soon moved north with her family to Connecticut and later to Pennsylvania where she graduated from high school.  One of her proud accomplishments that she would talk about all her life was working as a camp counselor during summer breaks.   She attended Bloomsburg University where she met her husband of 65 years, Jack.  Eager to marry, they were told by their parents, “graduate first!”  They wasted no time and married a month after graduation and settled near Harrisburg.

Carol was an educator and taught elementary school until her retirement in 1993.  When asked what she taught she would simply reply, “children.”  Along the way she paused her career for about six years to have four children of her own, but her children remember her as a working professional on equal footing with her husband which was a rarity in the 1960s and 70s.  Carol always was a serious advocate for a variety of causes (not only for her kids for whom she was a fierce protector) and was well known at her school district and the larger community as an influencer and leader.  People sought Carol’s opinion.

After retiring, Jack and Carol moved to Oriental and never turned back.  In Oriental she was well known for her leadership in the community.  Among many things she was a president of the Oriental Women’s Club, chaired the Garden club, worked with Heart Works, Relay for Life and other causes whether directly helping people in need or organizing with others to get important work done. Carol had a serious resolve to help those less fortunate than herself and up until just two months ago she was the Chair of Meals on Wheels, only reluctantly giving up that work as her health declined.

It was definitely not all work and no fun!  Many people in Oriental will remember Carol, along with Jack, for the parties they threw that were legendary, and frequent!  After retirement Carol and Jack traveled the world, and just like one of their favorite clubs in Oriental, Just For Fun, that’s what they pursued.  Carol enjoyed life to the very end.

Carol is survived by her son, Jeffrey of St. Petersburg, FL, her daughter, Leslie Culbertson of Pennsylvania, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nephews, nieces and their families.  She is predeceased by her husband, Jack; her sister, Judy; brother, Ed; and her sons, John and Eric.

As Carol wished, there will be a celebration of her life “on the water,” and her and Jack’s ashes will be scattered on their beloved Smith Creek.  This celebration will be planned for a later date, perhaps in the spring, and the family will make sure friends and interested communities are informed.

In lieu of flowers, per Carol’s wish, donations should be made to the Women’s Club of Oriental, PO Box 515, Oriental, NC 28571 or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 1016 W. Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL 60607.