Carolyn Hawley Ausley

Carolyn Hawley Ausley died early Monday morning, March 25, 2024 at her home with her

children by her side. She was born May 10, 1942, in Dunn, North Carolina to Thomas Earl

Hawley and Jewel Williams Hawley.

Carolyn attended the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, “the WC,” in 1960.

She married her childhood sweetheart, the late Andrew Harold Ausley, Sr. and worked at a

variety of jobs including a secretary for many years to help Harold finish his degree, which at

the time was Wake Forest College. They lived in a variety of places in North Carolina before

settling in Sanford, NC, in 1979. She became a devoted wife and stay-at-home mother. She

served in her community and at First Baptist Church of Sanford in a variety of ways. She

visited nursing homes regularly with other church members where they had brief programs and

sang hymns with the residents. One of her most treasured accomplishments was helping to

start a program, Triple L, that served senior adults and she help begin similar programs at

Cheriton Baptist in Cheriton, VA, and Westwood Baptist, Cary, NC.

After the passing of her husband, Carolyn moved to Cary, NC and joined Westwood Baptist

Church. Not surprisingly, she was an involved member in the choir and other events such as

trunk or treat at Halloween, dressing up like Mrs. Claus for Christmas programs and going on

state side mission trips. In 2021, she decided it was time to return to her hometown, Dunn,

NC. Again, she became an active church member at First Baptist Church in Dunn, NC. She

enjoyed being apart of a group that made dolls as an outreach project for the Belize mission

trips and singing in the church choir. She loved traveling and taking trips with family and

friends, including frequent trips to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She loved spending time with

her children and especially her grandchildren at ball games, dances, birthday parties, and

graduations. If you knew Carolyn you knew she was an amazing cook and her signature

“dish” was a chocolate cake.

Carolyn never knew a stranger. Her smile could light up a room and one of her gifts was

encouraging others, no matter what difficulties she was having in her life. Through her two and

a half year battle with cancer, she never complained about treatments, appointments or pain.

She met many people from across the country and made a point to share God’s love and joy

with them, all the while building sweet friendships. She handed out business cards which

included not only her name but her favorite scripture, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV).

Carolyn is survived by a son, Andrew H. Ausley, Jr. and his wife, Beth J. Ausley; a daughter

Cynthia (Cindy) A. Collins and her husband, Richard G. Collins III; a grandson, Andrew H.

Ausley III and his wife, Meredith M. Ausley; a granddaughter, Claudia A. Chinlund and her

husband, Adam B. Chinlund; a granddaughter, Sarah Jane C. Frazier and her husband, Kevin

R. Frazier; a grandson, Richard G. Collins IV; a brother, Thomas E. Hawley Jr.; a sister, Debbie

H. Woods, her husband, Bruce I. Woods; an uncle, Rodney G. Williams, as well as many

cousins, nephews and nieces. Last, but not least, her constant companion and four-legged

canine fur baby, Prince Harry.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 11 at 10:00AM in the parlor of First Baptist Church of Dunn. A

service of remembrance celebrating the life of Carolyn will be held at 11:00AM, Thursday, April

11, 2024 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Dunn. There will be a brief service at

3:00PM at the First Baptist Church Columbarium in Sanford, NC. All are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Dunn - Belize Mission Fund,

309 W Broad Street, Dunn, NC, 28334; First Baptist Church of Sanford, 202 Summit Dr.,

Sanford, NC 27330; Cheriton Baptist Church, PO Box 227, Cheriton, VA 23316; Gentiva

Hospice, 1231 N Main Street, Lillington, NC 27546