Obituary of Carol Lynne Toliver-Barnes

Carol Miller Barnes, was born December 26, 1962 in Saratoga Springs, New York. She was the second of two children born to the union of James Miller and Gloria Dorsey.  She made her peaceful transition from  this life during her sleep on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in West Berlin, NJ.

Carol’s childhood years were spent in Saratoga Springs, NY where she  attended the Church of St Peter.  She received her elementary education at St. Peter’s School and later enrolled in the Saratoga Springs Public School System  during her junior and senior high school years. Upon graduating high school, Carol attended Corning Community College for Nursing.

Eventually, Carol enlisted in the US Navy and was shipped off to Orlando, Florida for basic training, where she met her future husband, Clarence Henry Tolliver, Jr. They were joined in holy matrimony on February 9, 1987 in Kitsap, Washington. Three beautiful children were born during this marriage.

After residing in several locations, and her discharge from the military, Carol returned to New York and chose Canastota for her new home. It was here that she met and established a relationship with her soulmate, Brett Barnes. On March 23, 2003 they became one through marriage. Their love for each other was indescribable and their time together was speckled with both joy and sorrow.

Carol was a ‘people person’.  She was friendly and outgoing and would greet you with a grand smile and outstretched arms. Her desire to assist and help others, led her to volunteer at the local nursing home as a teenager.  As an adult, she volunteered at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. She was employed by several agencies in positions such as a certified nursing aide, a job coach assisting individuals with disabilities and an investigator for the Medicare Program.

While living in Canastota, Carol and her family attended Conquest Christian Center. In 2014 Carol & Brett relocated to South Jersey where they worshipped at the Pilgrim’s Rest Disciples of Christ Church in West Berlin, NJ.

Carol was predeceased by her husbands, Brett Barnes and Clarence Tolliver, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children; Clarence III (Mao), Tamika & James Tolliver, her parents; James Miller and Gloria Miller, a brother; Craig Miller, Aunts; Mary White, Pauline Jackson, Judy Dorsey & Mae Dorsey, mother-in-law; Emily Miller, In-laws; Howard McCray (Jerrilyn), & Linda Barnes, cousins and a host of friends.