Who Is Carrie?

Carrie Victoria Quarles was born on July 4, 1911 to William and Cordelia Rhoades Quarles in Lunenburg County, Virginia.  Her parents instilled a sense of faith and service in her from her early childhood.  After the untimely passing of her mother, Carrie assumed the role of mother to her younger siblings.  A 12 year-old herself, she raised her two younger sisters, Laura Jane and Irene, and her younger brother, Sherman.       

Carrie migrated north to LaMott, Pennsylvania in the early 1940's as a young mother of her own three children.  She joined Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown where she practiced her faith and served diligently in many capacities for 54 years.   She loved working with the children at church as a Sunday School teacher.  She transported children to Sunday School on public transportation for many years before the church had vans to pick up the children.  She was a loyal member of the Senior Usher Board, another position of service, for 53 years until her health slowed her down. Carrie served on six other church committees throughout the years, volunteering many hours to help where she was needed.     

For her many years of dedicated service, she was presented with four awards during her membership: Salem Baptist Church Mother of the Year 1972; Service Award 1978; Appreciation Award from Salem Baptist Church School 1980; Suburban Area Churches Honoree 1985.     

She was always ready and willing to do the little things behind the scenes, that are so important, but easily go unnoticed.  She graciously volunteered to launder the baptismal robes and towels, and the Acolyte robes.  She realized that the job needed to be done and quietly took it on without any expectation of recognition.     

Carrie absolutely loved her immediate family, as well as her extended family.  She wanted to be surrounded by as many family members as possible, as often as possible. She was a nurturing and devoted sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was proud of her family heritage and took great interest in being involved in the Rhoades Family reunions.  In 1984, she received a Certificate of Recognition for being one of the oldest members of the Rhoades Family.     

She spent a lifetime of service through adversity and hardships with grace and resilience.  Her quiet strength and compassion were qualities that she modeled for those who came behind her.