Carolyn Wilson was born August 7, 1956 in Prescott, Arkansas to Cloates Alexander and LJ Gillard. She grew up in Prescott with her great-grandmother Ludia Phillips-Wilson and great grandfather Allen Wilson Sr. As a teenager she moved to East St. Louis, IL to live with her mother and nearby grandmother Cloates Wilson, who preceded her in death.

She was preceded in death by all of her aunts, uncles, grandmother Cloates Wilson (2014), brother-in-law Antwyne Golliday (2021), and grandson Anthony Fowler (2004). Carolyn confessed a hope in Christ at an early age, and her faith remained with her until she won her battle with cancer. Early on as a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastoralship of Dr. John H. Rouse, who preceded her in death, she served in the alto section of choir for many years as well as attended Sunday School.

She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1974 and moved on to complete college courses at both Southwestern Illinois Community College and Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville.

Carolyn worked decades doing office/clerical work as well as professional housekeeping in both Illinois as well as Missouri. She became the mother of Carissa "Wilson" Fowler in 1989 and did not look back until she became a mother-in-law to Minister William Fowler Sr. in 2012. She finally landed her final job at Landshire in Caseyville, IL where she retired in 2017. Since retirement (and a little before) she was blessed with a grandson, William Fowler Jr. (Scooter), "Granny's Baby" as she called him. She was currently a full-fledged member of Ignite Ministries and Fellowship under the pastoralship of "My Son" William Fowler Sr., where she was faithful and devoted in Bible Study and spreading the Gospel to others until her Matthew 28:18-20 was complete!

Upon retirement, she continued to live life to the fullest in every sense of the word. April of 2019, she received the deviating diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. September 11, 2020, she was in full remission. After it reappeared March 2021, Carolyn was determined to beat cancer once again.

On September 7, 2021 , CAROLYN WILSON WON HER BATTLE WITH CANCER, and transitioned from labor to reward. The Lord, "My Husband" as she called him, decided that it was time for her to be with him in perfect peace! She could not have lived a better life, or left a more genuine, love felt legacy. She could not have been a better person.

She leaves to cherish her memories a beloved daughter and "son"-in-law, Carissa (William Sr.) Fowler of Collinsville, IL, mother Cloates Alexander of East Saint Louis, IL, grandson William (Scooter) "Granny Baby" Fowler Jr., other grandchildren Antwone, Rayshaun, and Ahmaun Fowler of Waynesville, MO, sister-in-law Monique Golliday of Cahokia, IL, niece Brandi (Lamont) Fields of Cahokia, IL, god brother "Sam" of St. Louis, MO, long time sponsor Marquita Yarborough, other family and friends, and also longtime friends Betty and "Moma" Skyla.