Carolyn Ruth Gafford Crear
Funeral services for Carolyn Ruth Gafford Crear will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Grambling. She was a long-time pharmacist who worked in many facilities in Lincoln, Union, Ouachita and Claiborne parishes, before retiring in New Orleans.
She was born on July 24, 1949, in Union Parish, the fourth of seven children and first daughter born to Ardell and Polly Gafford.
Because of her father’s military career, she spent much of her early childhood living across the country and around the world.
During her teenage years the family settled back in Union Parish, where Carolyn graduated from Westside High School in 1967. She enrolled in Grambling State University, where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1971.
After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Carolyn attended pharmacy school at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
On May 19, 1971, Carolyn married Jobie Crear. Carolyn attended pharmacy school while Jobie attended medical school. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Joia and Jauna.
Carolyn later returned to Louisiana with her young daughters, settling in Grambling, where she became an active member of the community. Carolyn was an avid sports fan and an enthusiastic supporter of both the Grambling State University Tigers and the Grambling High School Kittens.
Carolyn was a hardworking and well- respected pharmacist and a role model to many. She worked at numerous places throughout north Louisiana and later continued her career at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, where she remained until her retirement.
In addition to her work as a pharmacist, Carolyn also spent time as an adjunct professor of mathematics at Grambling State University. Despite her professional accomplishments, Carolyn was best known both in her family and in the community for her big heart.
She opened her home to anyone who needed a place to stay and a hot meal, whether for a night or for a semester. A list of all the people she has helped over the years would be too long to read and ultimately incomplete.
This will be Carolyn’s greatest legacy — her generosity and passion for helping people.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ardell and Polly Gafford; and her brother, Larry Gafford.
She leaves to give thanks for a life welllived her two daughters, Joia Crear-Perry ( Andre) of National Harbor, Maryland and Jauna Crear of Spring Texas; grandchildren, Jade Below of National Harbor, Maryland, Carlos Below Jr. of Mansfield, Texas, Affrica Davis of Columbia, South Carolina, Aria Davis of Spring, Texas, and Robeson Perry of National Harbor, Maryland; siblings, William ( Ralph) Gafford ( Arnetta) of Kansas City, Kansas, Gilbert Gafford (Zondra) of Garland, Texas, Wanda Peters (Reginald Owens) of Grambling, Cheryl Marriott (Nigel) of Bath, England, and Gregory Gafford (Sharon) of Grambling; and a myriad of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and fellow Grambling State University and Grambling High School supporters.
