Evangelist Carolyn Heyward-Jamison

The Birth of a Messenger

On Saturday, November 17, 1951, my parents Isaac and Lillie Heyward, were blessed with a healthy baby girl whom they named Carolyn Heyward. My mother and father were not saved at that time, but they lived a moral life. They taught me that family sticks together.

When I was in the fifth grade, I heard Aunt Emma Cohen preaching about hell.  She then sang the song, “Ain’t No Water Down in Hell”. I was terrified of the thought of going to hell. I told my mother I wanted her to be line Aunt Emma, but she responded, “You be like her”. Later my mom and dad accepted the Lord as their personal savior. 

I attended North District Training School my freshman and sophomore years of high school. I transferred to Wade Hampton High School, when schools were integrated, where I completed my junior and senior years. I was one of three African Americans to graduate in May 1969. I attended Massey Business College in Jacksonville, FL., receiving an Associate Degree in Business. Upon graduating in 1971, I remained in Florida. I met and married Howard L. Taylor. We had a daughter and I was 8 months pregnant when Howard died. After I had my second daughter, Kim, I relocated to my parent’s home in Hampton, SC.  In December 1979, I was joined in holy matrimony to Jeroy Jamison, Sr. This union blessed us with 6 additional children. 

I graduated from USC- Columbia in 1980 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. In 2001, I received my Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University. I completed one and a half year toward my doctoral degree in Divinity from Lahairoi Bible Institute.  I was employed by Savannah River Site for 25 years as a Human Resource Generalist.  I volunteered at the Children’s Keeper Learning Center every Friday for many years. I was able to retire in 2016, and immediately began working full-time at the Learning Center. My passion for nurturing the youth allowed me to pour into the lives of numerous 3 year olds. All the children affectionately called me “Grandma”.  Every morning, during devotion, I would have the children say this affirmation: “God said I am smart. God said I can learn. God said I can listen and obey, keep my hands to myself, and I am beautifully made”.  We would recite Proverbs 18:21 and say,” Grandma’s prayer is Lord please help me watch my tongue!” 

A Faithful Community Worker

I saw the need to help families in my community. I took children into my home and treated them as my own. I helped initiate the Nix Street Community Crime Watch. We picked up trash in the community. I used the church as a base to help children with their school work. Annually we held a Back to School Bash to assist the neighborhood children with school supplies. The slogan, “We might be from the bottom, but we’re headed to the top!” was used to empower the youth. 

Worker in the Vineyard for the Lord

I turned my life over to the Lord in 1981. I was a lead singer on the choir. I served as the choir president for 10 years. I loved to sing. A few of my favorite songs were: “I Know that Prayer Will Change Things”, “I’m running for my Life”, and “If I Couldn’t Say a Word”. 

I served my church faithfully. I accepted my calling as an Evangelist in 2005. There were many ups and downs, but God’s word kept me grounded. My favorite scriptures were Proverbs 18:21, “Death and Life are in the poser of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit there of, Matthew 7:7, and Isaiah 53:5. In September 2019, I was able to travel to Jerusalem and walk where my savior walked. That was an experience I will never forget. 

Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust In Him

In December 2019, I was diagnosed with cancer and surgery was recommended. After a second opinion yielded the same recommendation, I had surgery on January 29, 2020. The doctors were amazed that I did not need pain medication afterward. I completed my 1st round of chemo on April 16, 2020. I continued to read my bible and trusted in God’s word. Daily I would wrap myself in my prayer shawl and spend time with the Lord.  On June 16, 2020, I woke up pain free. At my doctor’s appointment that day I rang the bell after completing 28 rounds of radiation. On July 07, 2020 I went into Hollings Cancer Center to begin my second round of chemo. Once they took my vitals, they discovered my blood pressure was 55\45. The doctors said it was a MIRACLE that I was able to walk into the office on my own. I was admitted into MUSC Intensive Care Unit because my body wasn’t stable enough to continue treatment. On July 11, 2020, my vitals were stabilized and I was moved to a regular room. The next evening I was in excruciating pain and the pain continued. However, no matter how much pain I was in, I mustered enough strength to say “I love you too” to my children.  Friday morning, July 17, 2020 around 9:30 am, an ultra sound technician was walking to my room to scan my legs for blood clots and the Lord placed the song “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” in her spirit. She asked my daughter if she could she sing it to me. When she sang to me, the pain subsided. My daughter, Tina, continued to play the song from her phone after the tech left. I remained pain free until my transition at 9:53 a.m. My family was planning to take me home later that day, but God called me to my heavenly home. 

I Loved My Family

I was preceded in death by my parents, Isaac and Lillie Heyward, mother and father-in-law, Manny Sr. and Clara Jamison, and daughters Jada Jamison and Sharon Jamison. 

I leave to cherish fond memories: my husband, Jeroy Jamison Sr.; my precious children: Katina Taylor and Tiphany Jamison of the home, Kimberly Gordon (Jermaine) of Hampton, SC , Angela Jamison of  Brooklyn  , NY, Keith Taylor of Charlotte, NC,  Jeroy Jamison, Jr. of Hampton, SC, and PO1 Samuel Jamison of Great Lakes, IL; 24 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; Four sisters: Ollie Mae Welch (William) of Raleigh, NC, Lula Bell Wright (Anthony) of Garland, TX, Evangelist Debra Scott (Michael)  and Christine James of Varnville, SC; Five brothers: Elder Daniel Heyward, Isaac Heyward Jr., Nathaniel Heyward, and Bishop David Heyward (Debra Ann) of Varnville, SC, and Harry Lee Heyward(Sheena) of Marietta, GA; Three sisters-in-laws: Audrey Holmes of Cottageville, SC, Salley Crawford and Mableleen Johnson of Islandton, SC, One brother-in-law: Jerome Jamison (Linda) of Islandton; Three godsons: Dennis Singleton, Reginald Scott, and Jaterris Padgett; One goddaughter: Charisse Welch; an adopted son: Marvin Singeltary; A host of devoted nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

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