Dr. Beverly Ann Carroll

October 23, 1946 - November 13, 2021

BEVERLY ANN CARROLL beloved daughter of James and Lillian Mercer Carroll, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 23, 1946 and transitioned to her God and Ancestors on November 13, 2021. Rooted in Family life and bundled up in love, Beverly was the Carroll family matriarch showering her family with love and wisdom. She received great joy in sharing love, time and memories with her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. She was a life-long Member of St. Peter Claver Church having been Baptized there and receiving all of the sacraments that formed and shaped her Christian journey. She was an active and invested Parishioner involved in many aspects of parish and school life. Her last act of Leadership was to serve as a Corporator of the Church. Beverly loved preparing and celebrating the holidays with family and friends. She owned the unique talent of obtaining the “just right for you” gift for your Birthday or Christmas. Surely a New York trip may be warranted to develop such shopping skills. She favored old school cooking recipes and old school music with Marvin Gaye being one of her favorite artists. How many times have you heard Beverly say as an opening statement of a conversation…“What’s Going On”! And O how she enjoyed Movies and the Theatre (more trips to New York). As a youth at St. Peter Claver, Beverly acted with the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) in Drama Competitions with Lorraine Hansberry’s rendition of “A Raisin In The Sun” as a favorite. Beverly played the lead role of Mother Lena Younger. Sometimes Beverly would host an “Academy Awards Night Party” when it was broadcasted and you had to dress up like you were live on the scene. Superbowl Parties were extraordinary in Beverly’s household. She controlled the “Overall Menu” and assigned a different Menu Selection for each Quarter. She also had party favors (back to New York). All of her employment career (about 50 years) Beverly worked within the Catholic Church in various positions. She started out working with her Mentors, Fr. Henry Offer, SSJ and Fr. John Harfmann, SSJ as secretary at both St. Peter Claver and at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Eventually, Beverly earned positions such as Director of the Office of Urban Affairs and as Executive Director of the Secretariat for African Americans at The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from which she retired in October, 2012. Beverly was a guiding light both nationally and locally in the Black Catholic Movement aiding Black Catholic clergy and religious. She was active in re-establishing the historic National Black Catholic Congress with Bishop John H. Ricard and grass roots efforts such as restoring St. Frances Academy and supporting the Oblate Sisters of Providence, raising awareness and education about HIV and AIDS, promoting the Nguzo Saba principles of Kwanzaa to strengthen Black families, mental health awareness, social justice issues as well as addressing the epidemic of addiction. She always was concerned with those who were overlooked and she strived to build self-esteem within her people. Internationally, Beverly led a group to South Africa where they once met with Winnie Mandela. Beverly had several audiences with Pope John Paul II. She was awarded the very first Martin Luther King Award issued by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Citations and Salutations from the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators as well as numerous Awards from Dioceses across the nation. Beverly taught Sessions on Leadership throughout the country including the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University. In her teaching you would often hear her say… “You got to Read to Lead”. She was the ultimate Organizer and Planner, making lists and checking them twice. If she was in a group discerning a strategy or developing an initiative you could count on Beverly to raise good questions and pursue wise and successful outcomes. Additionally, she was a proud Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Beverly held a high regard for education, a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School class of 1964. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from The University of Maryland; a Master of Arts Degree from The University of Maryland and a Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Siena University in New York. She urged her family to value spiritual formation and academic achievement as healthy and successful paths to the future. Beverly encouraged her Family to serve and help others in this journey of life. She integrated her life journey into their life journey. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents Lillian Mercer Carroll and James Carroll, her brothers Theodore and Richard Barbour, her son James Edward Carroll, her adopted mother Priscilla Kelly, adopted brother Charlie Blackwell, and her devoted friends Natalie Mercer, Gwendolyn Dean, and Lorchid Stewart. She leaves to cherish her memory her son Rudolph Weeks II, granddaughters Diane Carroll and Shakwana Sydnor (Milton), great grand-daughter Diamond Carroll, great-grandsons Dy’Quis Carroll and Richard Jones, adopted brothers Rev. Maurice Blackwell, Wayland Blackwell, Leo Blackwell, goddaughters Kimberly McLaurin (Timothy), Tanya Blackmon (Donya) and Trisheria Diggs, devoted friend Therese Favors (Andrew), Barbour nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.