Carolyn Rhea Brown Dorcas , 81, of Dunbar, passed away October 13, 2017, after a short illness.

She was a retired educator and a member of First Presbyterian Church, Dunbar.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Brown and Margaret Tolbert; sisters, Judy Moore and Linda Tolbert; and brothers, Tom Tolbert and Donald Tolbert.

She is survived by her children; Kelley Dorcas of Columbus, Ohio and Todd M. Dorcas of Charleston; her grandchildren, Wesley Dorcas of Dunbar and Whitney Richmond of Charleston; brothers Wayne Tolbert of Montreal, Canada and Frank Tolbert of New York and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, on September 25, 1936. She was a graduate of Bennett College for Women with a BA in English, Classical Literature, Secondary Curriculum Instruction, Journalism and Drama. She attended Marygrove College in Detroit (Reading Education) and Wayne State University in Detroit (Urban Sociology). She earned her Master's Degree in Education at West Virginia University.

As editor of the Bennett College newspaper during her senior year, Carolyn interviewed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during his tour of college campuses to discuss the civil rights movement. Her experience with Dr. King set the tone for her heightened sense of community and activism.

She taught English in Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia. She was a Public Relations/Communications Specialist for the Kanawha County Board of Education, introduced computers into classrooms, and teamed with other educators in providing Multicultural Education. She was an English teacher at DuPont High School, Dunbar High School, and an English/Drama teacher at South Charleston High School. She was an Adjunct Professor at University of Charleston (English) and West Virginia State University (English). She was a Diversity Trainer in Kanawha County Schools.

She was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and an Adult Sunday School teacher.

She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; Alpha Theta Chapter – Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators ; Alpha Omicron Omega Chapter – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and Who's Who (Student 1958) and Who's Who (Teacher 1990).

She was a member of the Great Books Discussion (Kanawha County Library); a founding member, along with her Bible Study class, of a special ministry Got Lunch where a free meal is offered to the community once a month at First Presbyterian Church, Dunbar;
and was a Kanawha County Spelling Bee Judge and Researcher for over 20 years.

Carolyn had a passion for teaching and learning. Her enthusiasm motivated students to learn, and public education provided her opportunities to encounter new situations. She embraced and taught students with different ethnicities and religions and with different learning styles and backgrounds which affected her growth as well. She encouraged students to be their best in attitude and character. Carolyn was an avid reader and a life-long learner, and she studied and researched various subjects. Although Carolyn was retired, she was in touch with many of her former students.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church, Dunbar beginning at 12:00 noon, with Rev. Dr. Patricia Jarvis officiating. A visitation with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service.

The family suggests donations to First Presbyterian Church, 1414 Myers Avenue, Dunbar, West Virginia 25064.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.