Mitta Carr Isley

Tarboro

Mitta Carr Isley, 86, passed away Wednesday May 1, 2019.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Saint James United Methodist Church in Tarboro. The family will receive friends and relatives immediately following the service in the fellowship hall.

Mitta Isley was born in Washington, Georgia on August 28, 1932 to VoHammie Pharr Carr and Jesse Metteau (J.M.) Carr. After graduating from Duke University in 1953, she began a long teaching career, teaching middle school history throughout most of that career. Teaching was more than a profession -- it was her natural state of being, her way of interacting with the world. As a member of Saint James United Methodist Church, she continued teaching after retiring,  leading a Sunday School and numerous Disciple Bible Study Classes, shedding light on the gospel for students the same way she shed light on dates and facts in social studies classes.

She married Robert Francis Isley June 11, 1955 in Oxford, N.C.

A voracious reader, lifelong Democrat, and painter, Mitta put her education and sharp mind to good use every day while tackling the latest crossword puzzle or another mystery novel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and brothers Jesse Metteau Carr, Jr. and Robert Frederick Carr.

Mitta is survived by her loving family: son Robert Francis Isley, Jr. and his wife Debra Batts Isley; daughter Mitta Pharr Isley; grandson Robert Francis Isley, III and his wife Anna Rakes Isley; grandson Willis Batts Isley and his wife Jaimee Lee Watts; granddaughter Allison Isley Crabtree and her husband Chris Crabtree as well as great-grandchildren Jackson Isley, Lila Mae Isley, Harper Isley, Frank Isley and Collins Crabtree.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mitta’s memory to Saint James United Methodist Church: 211 East Saint James Street,Tarboro, NC 27886.

Arrangements are by Carlisle Funeral Home, Inc., of Tarboro. Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.carlislefuneralhome.com.

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