Carolyn Regina Bankhead was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 23, 1942. She was the third child born to Floyd Henry Smith (originally of Sunflower, Alabama), and Ernestine Lorena Barrett (originally of Meridian, Mississippi). She was the youngest of the Smiths’ three children, who also included Henry “Sonny” Floyd Smith and Madeline (Smith) Minor.

Carolyn was known for being a social child, with newspaper articles citing her working with elderly neighbors to clean up the neighborhood at the young age of 4, setting the stage for a life of service to her community.

Carolyn attended Cleveland’s East High School, where she excelled as a student. She was also an athlete, playing basketball and engaged as part of the High Steppers dance group. After her graduation in 1960, she went on to receive her diploma as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1963.

While working as a nurse at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital (now MetroHealth Medical Center), she met her future husband, Melvin Bankhead Jr. They tell the tale of a chance meeting. While leaving work with a friend and getting a ride home, said friend’s boyfriend was friends with Melvin. From then on, they kept interacting and eventually found themselves connected to one another. They were married within eight months of meeting, on July 10, 1965, and the marriage lasted more than 60 years.

From this marriage, they had three children: Melvin “Trey” Bankhead, III, Carla Regina Bankhead, and Michael Brandon Bankhead.  Also, from this marriage she was blessed to have a bonus daughter in Wilmer J. Graham. Carolyn loved all her children and was loved deeply in return.

In 1994, Carolyn returned to school, attending Hocking Technical College (now Hocking College), and completing her training as a Registered Nurse. She served in Nurse Manager and Nursing Supervisor positions at places such as Montefiore Nursing Home and Vista Care/Gentiva.

Carolyn was a fighter, surviving breast cancer, strokes, and managing her kidney diagnosis and Parkinson’s Disease with grace and often humor. She was fond of saying, “I had a stroke, you know!” as a tease when she forgot something, and she was always full of a special energy that was shared with others.

Carolyn’s wit, and her love of life and adventure, was only outmatched by the love of her family, husband, children, grandchildren, siblings and cousins.

She leaves to mourn her, her husband, Melvin Bankhead, Jr.; children, Melvin “Trey” Bankhead III (and wife Dr. Ursuline R. Bankhead), Carla Regina Bankhead, Michael Brandon Bankhead (and fiancé Lauren Jenkins), and Wilmer Graham (and husband Rudolph Graham); grandchildren Rudolph Melvin Graham (and wife Brianna Graham), Ashley Olivia Gray (and Kendel Gray); and Maia Elise Bankhead; a great-grandchild, Ryan Miles Graham; a sister, Madeline Minor; sisters-in-law Marie Smith and Sandy Bankhead; and a host of loving cousins, coworkers, and friends.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and older brother Sonny, several aunts, uncles, and other beloved relatives.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Aug. 7, from noon to 3 p.m. at Bedford Heights Community Center, 5616 Perkins Road, Bedford Heights, Ohio.

Light refreshments will be served. Attendees should bring their favorite stories and memories. We welcome you wearing your favorite colors to celebrate the color and joy Carolyn brought into the world.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you:

·         Donate to one of the following causes:

o   Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: https://www.komen.org/

o   St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/

o   Shriners Hospitals for Children: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org

·         Or bring houseplants to honor Carolyn’s love of plants.

Can’t attend in person? The Celebration will be livestreamed at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87519647226?pwd=iwXFDbkBLeHfccJNA66o7csgnn0YFg.1