Nancy Carolyn Silvera's Obituary
Late one night as the birds stopped singing, little children slept, and all was calm from the day’s journey. God reached out His arms and carried Carolyn to her permanent home to rest. He knew she was tired and her husband, mother, father, sister, and brothers would joyfully greet her at Heaven’s Golden Gate. She is home, singing in the angelic choir. God knew his child was tired and wanted to go to sleep so He made the final decision even though He knew it would cause her family grief.
Nancy Carolyn Goss Brown Silvera was the daughter of Richard Brown and Maggie Lillie Goss Brown of Sandy Hill Community, Bladenboro , N.C. She was one of five siblings: the late Paul, the late Louvenia, the late Fred and the late George.
Carolyn was baptized at an early age at the Sandhill Missionary Baptist Church. She attended Sunday school and other youth activities in Sandhill and at the Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Whiteville, NC.
Carolyn and her brother George were inseparable throughout their entire lives. She lost her father at an early age, and was left with their mother who surrounded them with love, devotion and a village of family members who loved and cared for them.
The tragic death of her older sister left a lasting hole in Carolyn’s heart which sealed the inseparable bond between her brother George and herself. Her late brothers Fred and Paul together with their family members suffered a psychological and indelible sense of loss that remained until their demise.
Carolyn graduated with honors, from Mt. Olive Negro High School, in Whiteville, NC. in 1960. She and her favorite cousin Barbara Jean Carolyn Pridgen Brown were classmates and were notorious for protecting each other from any childhood bully. The two remained close throughout their adult lives. Carolyn had a brilliant mind. She had a jovial personality and always provided wisdom to others with a degree of laughter.
Upon the death of their mother, they left NC and lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey with their older brother, Paul and other family members.
Carolyn was compassionate and caring toward others. She was always helping the sick and elderly. This is the reason she excelled in the nursing field. She became a HHA in 1978 in Moorsetown, NJ. She continued to work in the medical field and became CNA in 1980. Carolyn worked as a CNA until 1994 when she became disabled due to a work related back injury.
Carolyn and her late husband, Reverend Dr. Willoughby Drayson Silvera, were astute in political policy, community and religious participation affecting the total state of New Jersey and the nation.
She worked as a volunteer coordinator during President Clinton’s 1992 election under the outreach program with AFSCME, Council in NJ. She recruited and trained volunteers on how to go “door to door” urging people to vote. She provided lunches for the young volunteers she recruited to work as the “flying squads”. Her two late older brothers, Fred and George, drove people to the polls as part of the “Ride to the Polls” nonpartisan outreach.
Prior to the Presidential election, Carolyn and her late brothers George and Fred were part of their late brother Paul’s campaign for elected office through the Catholic Church’s nonpartisan operation.
In 1995, Carolyn teamed up with her dearest friends, the late Barbara Thomas, and the late Don Dickens to form The Tenants Association in Pemberton, NJ. This Association came together in a unified effort to ensure that funding was available for the tenants of Lake Valley to help pay for heating expenses. This led to the County funding that we now call LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). Which to this day, a household can apply for assistance at the Don Dickens Center aka BCCAP (Burlington County Community Action Program). This well-known program got its start with the diligent help of Carolyn Silvera and we must admit her tasty chicken wings help seal the deal.
She loved her God and would spend hours talking about her Savior Jesus Christ and how He saved her, protected her and provided for her and her family. Carolyn was a true Christian.
She was a member of Bethany AME Church in Cookstown NJ, under the late Pastor Forman. She prepared the meals for every gathering they had from 1988 – 1997. She was notorious for her fried chicken and baked macaroni and cheese.
She always put God first then her children. When she was unable to attend church physically, she faithfully stayed on the prayer line. She always would fight for her children. Before a mother, she was a sister, friend, and cousin to many.
She leaves to honor and cherish her memory her beloved children Annie Delores Charles, Thomas Charles, Marcy Thomas, Wanda Davis, Willie Davis, Frederick Thomas, Carla Silvera, Drayson Silvera, Hope Silvera, Jermaine Silvera, Tanika Silvera, Maggie Turner, Richard Turner JR., Marcia McKenzie, Janet Silvera, Annette Silvera and adopted daughters Sinai Jones and Gloria Small. Her Beloved in-laws: Yvonne Bramwell, Joel Bramwell, Audrey Oddman, Her most dearly beloved Jasnit Silvera, Osmond Silvera, and Gwendolyn Silvera. She leaves to carry on her memory 37 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, a nation of nieces and nephews, her cousins including her most highly favored cousin Geraldine Boykin and Jerry Spivey and a host of friends ( Including Ann Bessinger, Linda Hopkins, Carol Bennett and Carlene Ruggs ).
Nancy Carolyn Silvera was proceeded in death by her parents, her sister and brothers mentioned above, her husband, her granddaughter Kareemah Orange, her in-laws Ruby Brown, Delphia Brown, Winston Silvera, Windel Silvera, Bobby Silvera, Eric (Carter) Silvera, her nieces Debra Ann Currie, Valdenia Currie and great nephew James “JJ” Currie.
Another link in our family chain has been broken,
We began to mend the missing parts.
We look to God for strength and guidance
And ask for healing within our hearts.
God has again tested our strength
But somehow He will fill our need.
Our mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend will be watching and we know from heaven she will be pleased.
In the voice of Annie Delores Charles and Miquel Foster, “Sweet Caroline – woo, woo, woo” will always be in our hearts.
~The family
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Givnish of Cinnaminson, 1200 Route 130 North, on Monday August 16th from 7 pm to 9 pm, and Tuesday August 17th from 9 am to 10 am. Her Funeral Service will begin at 10 am, and will be live streamed. The service can be viewed by clicking on the "Photos and Videos" tab on your pc, or the "media" tab on your phone. Click on the album "Live Streamed Service".
Burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, NJ.
Repast after burial will be at:
Maple Shade 25 Club
60 E Rudderow Ave, Maple Shade, NJ 08052
(856) 667-9875
What’s your fondest memory of Nancy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nancy?
Share a story where Nancy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nancy you’ll never forget.
How did Nancy make you smile?