Presiding Elder Carolyn Colson Demps

Posted on May 22, 2024

Presiding Elder Carolyn Colson Demps “Pastor Carolyn” March 29, 1945 – May 10, 2024 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…” (2 Timothy 4:8) Presiding Elder Carolyn Colson Demps, lovingly called “Pastor Carolyn,” 79, of Perry, Florida, heard the Master whisper her name and in the twinkling of an eye, she entered the Master’s joy to receive her heavenly reward on Friday, May 10, 2024. Celebration of Life services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 25, in the sanctuary of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 1149 West Hampton Springs Avenue, Perry. Pastor Carolyn will lie in repose for public visitation from 4-6 p.m., Friday, May 24, in the Alms of Bethel Community Development Center, 368 SW Pine Street, Mayo, with a wake service to follow, beginning at 6 p.m. Committal and final burial rites will be held at 1300 hours, Tuesday, May 28, on the lawn of the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee. Pastor Carolyn fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming an educator. She pursued her bachelor and master degrees in education at Florida A&M University. She began her 30-year teaching career at Kerbo Elementary School in Mayo, but concluded it as an administrator for the Taylor County Pre-K Program in Perry. Together, Pastor Carolyn and Elder Chester Demps discipled young people and groomed them to be well-educated, successful, professionals in their chosen careers. She also used her influence with youth and her love of ministry and music to become a cofounder of the Taylor Interdenominational Christian Outreach (TICO) to touch their lives and to bring unsaved ones to Christ. Because of her talent for singing melodically in contralto, she was known as “Elijah Rock” by college friends and “The Songbird of the South” by others. Together with the TICO Choir and the “Daughters of Harmony,” they produced two “Elijah Rock” albums with original songs. She was also instrumental in the founding of Arms of Bethel Community Development Center (currently the Boys and Girls Club) in Mayo. Those who will deeply miss Pastor Carolyn, but have hope to see her again include: her loving and devoted husband of 52 years, Elder Chester H. Demps; daughter, Evangelist Charita Hope Demps, esq.; brothers, Jerome (Margaret) Colson and Johnny Colson; sister, Mary Colson Clayton; grandchildren, Brion Demps, Jacoreyus Demps and Addison Demps; brothers-in-love, Thomas (Lueva) Demps, Jimmie Demps, Charles Demps, Harry Demps, Willie Jean (John) Demps, George (Alfreda) Demps, Herman Demps and Joseph Demps; sister-in-love, Geneva Colson; Godchildren, Cynthia Henry, Syreeta (Vincent) Thigpen, Caleb Reaves, Brittani Fisher, Swayze Beasley and Jessica (Daniel) Morin; and church families, Bethel of Mt. Sinai of Mayo and Christian Tabernacle of Perry, Mt. Sinai Holy Churches of America, Inc.; along with countless other loving relatives and sorrowing friends. Final care and compassionate services are being provided to the demps family with love, care and uncompromising dignity by J.P. Moore Mortuary & Cremation Services in Madison. (850973-6677; Jamarien “J.P.” Moore, LFD)