Carolyn Grantham Ennis received the Visions of Hope Award for being an educator, humanitarian, leader, organizer and innovator with a focus on a Mission for Christ and Humanity in 2014. She continues to use her time, talent and treasure (money) to make a difference in the lives of her fellowman. Her guiding principle has always been “Be a SERVANT LEADER for the Glory of God. GIVING is her viable and visible testimony. Ask God and then be a GO-GETTER in the name of the Lord.

She was appointed to the Johnston Community College Education Foundation Board and reappointed to the Public library of Johnston County and Smithfield Board of Trustees and to the Heritage Center Commission. She is the only person in Johnston County to have served as president of nine county-wide organizations and remains active in five of them. She is a Trustee and active leader and follower at First Missionary Baptist Church in Smithfield, North Carolina, who has willingly and diligently served ALL of her pastors and members of the Family of Faith. She is also committed and loyal to Shaw University.

She wrote and directed “Pocahontas” presented at First Missionary Baptist Church to generate funds for Joia Freeman, a contestant in the Miss Jabberwock. She also wrote “UNITY” that was presented at the Public Library and at FMBC for Black History and a tribute for Judge Addie Rawls for her third Anniversary as pastor of New Generation Christian Church. She wrote a play entitled “WITNESS” for the 50^th Anniversary of Rev. J.B. Woodhouse. She wrote the history of FMBC 1966-2008 and is presently writing the second edition 2009-2016 for the 150^th Anniversary in 2016. She was the guest speaker for the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2014 as well as for several churches and special events. She organized the Modernettes Club Oratorical contest on the topic, “The Pain of Poverty” and prepared a handout with major facts on poverty. She invited and provided dinner and gifts to members of Alpha Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as a part of their Founders Day Celebration in 2014. Pink and green adorned the Fellowship Hall.

For the past 23 years, she has sponsored and coordinated a special Baccalaureate Service for African American Seniors, who meet the criteria, from the nine high schools. This year there were 217 honorees. The event is held at FMBC. She also sponsors the Shaw University Choir for Black History each year. Her dramatic dialogue presented in 2015 was entitled “Toot The Horn for HBCU’s. A “Gallery of Greatness” featuring the “Elite Eleven” historical black colleges in North Carolina was exhibited in the All Purpose Room at FMBC. Outstanding African Americans graduates of HBCU’s were featured.

Carolyn gave special awards to the two oldest members of FMBC during the Pastor People Celebration in 2014. She

coordinates and provides awards for the Annual Veteran’s Day Program sponsored by the Hospitality Ministry and for the Memorial Service for deceased members sponsored by the Deaconess Ministry of FMBC. Other awards given annually by her include The Spirit of Shaw Award, Creative Expression Award for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Supreme Service Award to a person who demonstrates service for Christ and Humanity, the Extraordinaire Excellence Award for service to the Johnston Central Alumni Association. It gives her unspeakable joy to GIVE to others; more than the joy of receiving awards.

She received the UNCF Award presented at Shaw University’s UNCF Banquet in 2014 and urged the audience to support HBCU’s. In 2015, the Greater Smithfield Selma Chamber of Commerce made her a lifetime member. She is also a life member of Shaw U. Alumni Association, Salvation Army Corp and the NAACP. The Johnston County NAACP presented her the Distinguished Service Award for her service to the churches, schools and community in 2015. She was named a LIVING LEGEND: WRAL-TV 2004, Johnston County Heritage Commission 2005, Johnston Community College SGA 2007 and Johnston County Schools 2009. She has a $50,000 Endowment Scholarship for Shaw students based on leadership, scholarship and sportsmanship. Three facilities have rooms named for her: Estey Hall at Shaw University, A Study Room at Johnston Community College Learning Resource Center and a Hall of Honor of Johnston Center High School at the Community School in Johnston County. Two of her most cherished awards are the Doctor of Humane Letters from her Alma Mater, Shaw University, and two Orders of the Long Leaf (1982 and 1986) highest award for a civilian, given by Governor James B. Hunt.

Carolyn coordinated the Father’s Day Breakfast at First Missionary Baptist Church and presented terrific programs: “Fathers: Our Shining Knights in Armor” in 2014 and “Hats Off to Faithful Fathers” in 2015. She wrote and directed FMBC “Sunday School Showdown Hoedown” explaining WHY come to Sunday School. Her dramatic dialogues (mini-plays) always teach a moral lesson with a spiritual reference. She taught a class and distributed booklets and materials on “Learning Language Literacy”, “Act like a Lady”, “Be A Gentleman” and many others for the Boys and Girls Club of Johnston County.

Carolyn is a graduate of Shaw University, New York University and Duke University. Her parents were Eddie and Effie Grantham. Her brother, Romie, also graduated from Shaw. She was married to Reginald Von Ennis for 39 years and the mother of Kevin Von Ennis. These loved ones are deceased. She has three grandchildren: Kevin, Reginald and Diamond and a special niece, Adrienne, and her five children: April, Brian, Andrea, Aria and Audrey. God loves Carolyn and Carolyn loves God. She is BLESSED to be a BLESSING!