Carolyn Nelson Mobley

Carolyn Mobley was born on September 23, 1953, in Cairo, Georgia to the late J.W. Nelson and Johnnie Mae Tucker-Williams. Her father, an Atlanta, Georgia native, worked at a Steel Mill and her mother was a maid and a nanny, from Tallahassee, Florida. Carolyn was a twin and the baby of a blended family of ten children (seven boys and three girls). She attended Washington Consolidated High 1st grade-11th grade. After integration, she attended and graduated from Cairo High School in 1971. As a young adult, she started studying to be a nurse, but quickly learned she didn’t like handling blood. Later she worked as a Press Operator at ITT Thompson, Inc (1972-1974). Then she studied at Southwest Georgia Technical College and graduated with a Diploma in Secretarial Science in 1975. At Florida A&M University (FAMU) she earned a position as a Secretary IV in the Office of University Publications (February 1976 - October 1983). There, she later received a Certificate of Proficiency under their Comprehensive Employment Training ACT Career Upgrading Program in 1979.

While working at FAMU, she met and married her husband, Marvin Mobley, a Class of 1983 Electronic Engineering Technology graduate, Florida native and fellow Rattler. Eventually, they moved to his hometown in Yulee, Florida to raise three children (one girl and two boys). There, she became a housewife and homeschooled their children until they started grade school. Later in life, she worked for the Jacksonville International Airport (2001-2006). Then, she took additional courses at Southwest Georgia Technical College and Florida State College of Jacksonville to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. Afterwards, she became a well-loved and respected educator at the Boys and Girls Club of Nassau County - Miller Freedom Center for over ten years before retiring. There she received a Certification of Team Work (2012), Award of Excellence (2015), Certificate of Appreciation (2016 & 2017), the National Professional Service Award (2019) and the National Service to Youth Award (2020) for her devoted service, dedication, positive attitude, hard work, guidance and outstanding example in education. In 2012, she even contributed to helping her club earn the highest rated scores and reviews, which earned them the “Community Club of the Year,” out of the 13 Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, providing hope and opportunity to youth throughout our community.

In her spare time, Carolyn enjoyed reading the Bible, collecting recipes, writing, watching movies, long phone conversations, laughing, playing chess, biking and walking. Her favorite color was blue. The Bugaloo was her favorite dance. Her favorite desserts were butter pecan ice cream and a strawberry cake that her mom use to bake from scratch. And she loved herself some Tina Turner and to remind you that she came from the birthplace of Jackie Robinson. She was best known for her gentle strength and warm contagious smile that had the incredible ability to light up any room. She was a prayer warrior and a perfectionist. And she was a kind, down to earth, beautiful, feisty yet humble soul that valued education and loved God, her family & friends dearly.

Some of her favorite memories were her yearly trips as a child visiting her adult siblings in Philly with her mom and twin brother, when her dad let her and her baby brother rack up as much candy as they wanted afterschool at one of their favorite candy stores called Sonny Boy, when her father bought her a life sized doll that walked, playing Jack Stones, jumping rope and walking to and from school and church with her childhood friend Yvonne Stewart (also known as Bump), having fun learning about Jesus from her favorite Sunday school teacher (her mother at Full Gospel Holiness Church), getting baptized, accepting Jesus Christ as lord and savior, shopping with her mom, working at FAMU, watching the Marching 100 perform, celebrating the births of her children, attending her kid’s sports games and award ceremonies, teaching children, getting handwritten letters from her grandkids, looking through old photos, long phone conversations with her love ones, birthday songs to and from her grandchildren, seeing the Rocky Mountains for the 1st time and just spending quality time with her family & friends.

Carolyn made her transition into eternity the afternoon of Wednesday, August 13, 2025 after 71 years on this earth. She is survived by her older sister, Barbara Jean Childress. She leaves behind to cherish her wonderful memories and legacy, her husband of forty-two years, Marvin Mobley; her eldest child, Marva Griffin; her eldest son, Marcus Mobley; her youngest child, Michael Mobley; her eldest grandchild, Kamara Matthews; her youngest granddaughter, Xia Griffin; her youngest grandchild, Apollo Griffin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.

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