Jones, Carolyn Goolsby

Longtime Business Owner, Entrepreneur, And Civic Leader

  • Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Carolyn Goolsby Jones
Carolyn Goolsby Jones

Dignity, courage, elegance, and strength are all the words that describe Mrs. Carolyn Goolsby Jones. Carolyn transitioned to eternal rest on January 21, 2023, at a local hospital with her family present.

Carolyn was born in Chattanooga, Tn., on Aug. 5, 1943, to loving parents, Clyde and Paralee Goolsby. She inherited a rich legacy of faith, family, character, leadership, and entrepreneurship over her adult years, making her a remarkable businesswoman, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and mother of her church.

Carolyn dedicated her life to Christ early and grew up in New Zion Missionary Baptist Church – Chattanooga. Later she joined Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church, where she served in the ministry as advisor of the Mission/Mothers' Ministry, advisor to the pastor, president of the newly formed HMBC Operation Community Impact, chair of the Policies and Procedures Committee, and volunteered on numerous committees where needed until her death. Carolyn loved her church and was loved and respected by her church family for her tireless and devoted leadership.

She was educated in the Chattanooga Public school system, graduating from Howard High School in 1961. After graduating from high school, Carolyn attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Records Administration, and obtaining her Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification.

Carolyn's illustrious educational background included several professional certifications in Health Information Management, Information Technology, and Classified Information Management. Along the way, Carolyn developed records & information practices which help to shape the Information Management industry today. Mrs. Jones distinguished professional career included working at Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan, where she served as Receptionist/Secretary for Ms. Esther Edwards (Mr. Barry Gordy's sister). There she received a wealth and depth of experience in operating and managing a large minority-owned business. Her name is among the nearly 2,000 employees in the Motown Museum as a Motown Alumni. With that experience, Carolyn was inspired and became an extraordinary entrepreneur developing her own business in 1980 in the medical records industry, the first of its kind. She was the President and CEO of C.J. Enterprises, Inc. (CJE), formally known as C.J. Health Record Consultant Services of Chattanooga, Tennessee, a minority woman-owned business. For nearly 40 years, Mrs. Jones and her beloved husband, Edward G. Jones, Executive Vice President and Co-owner of CJE, provided services to numerous health organizations, businesses, and governmental agencies. They also employed over 100 staff and consultants in several states: Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, expanding to partner with companies in New Zealand.

Carolyn held several positions in professional organizations and donated her time to many worthy causes in the community; she was one of the founding members of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Chattanooga Chapter, a former Board member of the Chattanooga African American Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the Women's Leadership Institute and a Chattanooga Leadership Graduate. Her affiliations are numerous, from the Women in Business Advocate Award to being named the Small Business "Person of the Year" by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce.
Carolyn's mantra was "Started with a Dream and Spiritual Guidance", which led her to be the devoted Christian and matriarch of her family. She always had a smile as she pursued her dreams and encouraged and assisted others to smile and pursue their dreams.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her father and mother, Clyde and Paralee, her brother, Taylor Culver, her sister and brother-in-law, Bettye (William) Holloway, brother-in-law Fred Conyers, and son-in- law Brian Johnson.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her faithful and loving husband of 42 years, Edward G. Jones, and her devoted children: Charles (Dwanna) Kimbrough of Chattanooga, TN, Arthur (Natasha) Herring of Reserve, LA, Larketta Johnson of St. Louis, MO, Edward L. Jones, Kesha Jones both of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren: Lya J. Kimbrough, Jaida D. Kimbrough, both of Chattanooga, TN, Jeremy L. Kimbrough of Huntsville, AL, Darius Herring of Murfreesboro, TN,
Cne' Nicole Mitchell of Columbus, OH, Mackenzie Patterson of St. Louis, MO, Briana Moore of Nashville, TN, Jamiell Johnson of St. Louis MO, Edward L. (Rachel)Jones, II of Columbus, OH, Elise Shay Jones of Knoxville, TN, Samira E. Jones of Knoxville, TN, and great-grandchildren: Zendaya G. Patton of Chattanooga, TN, Sania Mitchell of Columbus, OH, Kai Moore of Nashville, TN and Keylan D. Tillman of St. Louis, MO and sisters: Rubye Morton of Landover, MD, Joycelyn Conyers of Chattanooga, TN, nephews: Darren Morton of Upper Marlboro, MD, Kevin Morton of Columbia, MD, Shannon Johnson of Knoxville, TN, nieces: Kamesha L. Scott of Atlanta, GA, Lakesha (Rodney) Shannon of Chattanooga, TN, great nieces: Hope R. Clark, Faith J. Clark, Kameryn M. Porchia, all of Atlanta, GA, Neveah S. Shannon of Chattanooga, TN, great-nephews: Tyshon O. Ford, Keymon A. Johnson, Makail L. Johnson, all of Chattanooga, TN, and a few dear friends whom she called sisters Linda Howell, Vicki Mathis, Patricia Mason and Everlena Holmes, and a host of loving cousins, family, and friends who will also miss her.

Visitation will be held at J.P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 on Friday, Jan. 27, from 1–6 p.m. Homegoing services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2:30 p.m. at the Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church, 7463 Pinewood Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.

Virtual viewing will be available through Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church
Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/hawkinsville.church.1

In lieu of flowers, please donate in the memory of Carolyn G. Jones to the following: Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church 7463 Pinewood Drive Chattanooga, Tn. 37421 or National Coalition of 100 Black Women Chattanooga Chapter, Inc P.O. Box 22873 Chattanooga, Tn. 37422.

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