Carrie Ruth Cistrunk came into this world on May 26, 1935, in Louisville, Mississippi, to the loving parents Carrie and Willie Macon. She was the fifth of eight children born into this union. During her early years, Carrie was raised by her grandmother, Hester Kirksey, in Birmingham, Alabama, where she also began her Christian Walk.

Carrie attended public school and always dreamed of attending culinary school. In 1951, she met and married Calvin Cistrunk. Following their union, they relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where five children were born to this union: Carolyn Diane, Larry, Chareese, Dennis, and Phyllis.

Mrs. Cistrunk was a devoted Christian and a faithful member of Greater Avery A.M.E. Church, where she served the Lord for over 60 years. She truly loved to serve and was actively involved in the usher board, women’s ministry, choir, and Gapper Guild Steward Board. She was well known for her cooking, and many always looked forward to enjoying “Ms. Cistrunk’s” meals.

Grandma Carrie was a phenomenal cook whose food fed not only her family but the entire neighborhood. She was especially known for her peach cobbler and sweet potato pie. She also had a passion for gardening and took great pride in caring for her yard, even winning an award from the City of Cleveland for having the best yard on the block. Aunt Carrie was also a part of the “Eat Well Club” cause they always ate well. It started with 12 members; they meet the last Saturday of every month.

Mama loved to dress and shop and was always sharply dressed wherever she went, even to doctor’s appointments. She could always be counted on to wear a beautiful hat. Peach-a-Peach enjoyed playing bingo and visiting the casino. She also cherished a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear on the television show Cash Explosion, which she dedicated to her great-grandchildren Cailynn, Dylon, and Treasure. She was a longtime Cleveland Guardians fan; she even named her son after one of her favorite players Larry Doby.

Our mother was a genuine giver, always helping others. She expressed love to everyone around her and donated faithfully to Feed the Children for over 30 years.

Aunt Carrie worked providing domestic services for the Wiglesworth and Smith families before beginning her employment at Beachwood Middle School, where she later retired in 2002.

In August 2002, Carrie’s health began to decline, but she remained a true fighter and never gave up, trusting that the Lord was always on her side.

On Tuesday, December 23, her son Larry came to get his mom, and she went to be with the Lord. She was reunited with her parents, Willie and Carrie Macon; her sisters Princella McDonald, Eola Macon, Olander Mitchell, Hester Harrington, and Elaine Jackson; her brothers Willie and James Macon; and her special friend Willie Davis.

Carrie leaves to cherish her loving memory her children Carolyn Diane Oden, Chareese Allen, Dennis (Sharon) Cistrunk, and Phyllis Cistrunk; 15 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; along with a host of bonus children, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A special thank you is extended to her daughters-in-law, Sharon and Jackie Cistrunk.