Cora Carey

Cora Lena Carey
August 18, 1938—February 18, 2025

Cora Lena Carey was born in White Plains, New York on August 18,1938 to Henrietta Atkins and Henry Worthy. She spent her early years in White Plains where she lived with her mother and two younger sisters, Nettie and Barbara, in a cold water flat they shared with her extended family of uncles, aunts, and cousins. Her mother instilled in her at an early age a fierce loyalty to family. Her passions in life were her husband, Charles, whom she married April 1, 1956, and her children, Arthur, Laura, Gyna, Sharlet and Toni. As a result, Cora enjoyed a lifetime surrounded by her family and enriched with love. With family at the center of Cora’s heart, holiday gatherings were important and not to be missed.
During her formative years, Cora was educated through the White Plains school district. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies from Pace University and a Master of Science in Education (School of Administration and Supervision) from the College of New Rochelle. Cora’s professional development began in the Early Childhood Program as a teaching assistant; however, she was always self-motivated and goal driven. She, therefore, set her sights on becoming a lead teacher and would subsequently aspire to become the Director of the Early Childhood Program. She was successful in achieving both career endeavors.
She extended her leadership skills by becoming an avid community activist. Cora cohosted a cable television program called the 3 C’s for twelve years. She used this platform to confront many civic issues concerning her community. She served on the Greenburgh Board of Education, the Greenburgh Housing Authority, the Greenburgh Antenna Board, and the Theodore Young Community Center Board.
Although Cora was petite in stature, she was a giant in presence. She was a firebrand complete with sometimes blond or red hair who was not afraid to speak up and say what was on her mind. Members of the community would often ask her to represent them and to be their voice at public forums where she boldly stepped up to the podium and sparred with law and policy officials. Cora was an outspoken force of nature as she lent her voice to champion the educational needs of the children in the Greenburgh School District and sought to improve the living standards of the most vulnerable members of the Fairview community. Additionally, she volunteered her time as an active member of the Rosebud Temple #297 of the Improved Benevolent Protective of Elks of the World, the NAACP and the Westchester Community Organization. Indeed, Cora left an indelible mark upon the Greenburgh community for which she cared so deeply.
Cora relished spending time traveling with her sisters and friends. In particular she became cruise companions with her sister Barbara. Eventually they were successful in convincing their sister Nettie to join them. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the three sisters took annual cruises together traveling to the US Virgin Islands, Nassau, Aruba, and other Caribbean islands several times over many years.
She united with various churches throughout her lifetime. Although she was not currently an active member of one church, she continued to be a student of the Word. She was a praying woman and a strong believer in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was thankful every day for God’s grace and mercy.
Cora was many things to many people. A wife, mother, sister, friend, mentor and activist. She was known to those close to her as Cora, Cuhlena, or Spitfire which were all names she happily embraced and responded to.
As Cora’s health began to decline, she maintained her amiable demeanor and jovial sense of humor as she continued to care so deeply for those around her. So, in true Cora fashion, she left us with a message, “Hey y’all, please celebrate my life! I lived a wonderful life and I want you to be upbeat and thankful that I lived so long. Love you much!”
She leaves to celebrate her life, her son, Pastor Arthur Atkins of Kansas City, Missouri, Gyna (Ernest) McElwee of Chicago, Illinois, Sharlet Stanback of Greenburgh, New York, Toni Carey of White Plains, New York; sister, Nettie Webb of Hartsdale, New York: Grandchildren: Tierra, Dorian, Patrick, Artie, Joel, Lora, Bonita, Terry, Johnisha; and several great grandchildren, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors who were held deep in her heart. Cora was predeceased in life by her husband, Charles, her daughter, Laura and her sister, Barbara.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in one of three ways to:
1) The Woodlands High School Scholarship Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 139, Hartsdale, NY 10530;
2) PayPal at website: WHS Scholarship Fund Inc.
3) Zelle using email: whs.scholarshipfund@gmail.com

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ATTENTION: During the continuing health crises, as we gradually phase back into smaller capacity public visitations/services, we need your help in limiting and controlling the number of people, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Wake/Visitation/Viewing will be held on Saturday Feb. 22nd, 11:00AM-12:00PM at Calvary Baptist Church, followed by Funeral Service at 12:00Noon. But the church will be live-streaming the services on ZOOM, also available on our website the day of the service where it says WATCH WEBCAST, so you're able to view on ZOOM/there/here also/instead. So you may come to the church to try to attend, with your masks on if desired. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen). If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat; but if at capacity by the time you get there, you may be required to leave the premises after signing register book, so as not to be in violation nor cause a health hazard, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from touching/hugging/handshaking, ONLY elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that Cora Carey & family entrusted her care & the care of their loved one to us, and that she & they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Family of Cora Carey during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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Please feel free to come to the church wearing a mask, & social distance as much as possible. If you know you have a coronavirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church, and directions of the funeral home staff and/or church personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & any policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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In lieu of flowers & as a lasting tribute, the family appreciates/prefers a contribution be made in her name/memory/honor to: The Woodlands High School Scholarship Fund, Inc. (may be done simply through the donation tab/link here in website at the bottom of this page, or on your own to info above). You may also plant a tree in her name/memory/honor, as another form of condolence. If sending flowers, since she's being cremated, sending small plants or vases the family is able to keep is preferable & may be delivered on either Friday February 21, 2025 by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, and/or on Sat. Feb. 22nd by/before 10:30AM to Calvary Baptist Church. The Family Thanks You!