Carol was born June 2, 1944 in Wilson, North Carolina.

She graduated from Rock Ridge High School in 1962.  She attended East Carolina University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Atlantic Christian College (Barton College) in 1966.  She completed her master’s in educational administration at UNC Greensboro in 1976.  She also completed the Principal’s Executive Program at UNC Chapel Hill.

She is married to Gerald Terry Summerlin and they have two children.

Carol began her career as an elementary school teacher in Johnston County schools.  She also taught in Wilson City from 1966 -1970.  In 1970, she moved to Madison-Mayodan City Schools.  She was assistant principal at Scott-Lassiter Elementary School.  In 1976, she became principal at John W. Dillard School in Madison-Mayodan.

From 1978 to 1998, she was employed with Rockingham County Schools.  She briefly left education to work as a travel agent but in 2002 returned as principal of an alternative learning program for Rockingham Youth Services where she worked until retirement in 2010.

Carol’s community involvement included president of the Madison-Mayodan Junior Service League, president of the Rockingham County Principals Association, president of Rockingham County Partnership for Children, and vice-president of the United Way of Rockingham County,

Carol is active member of First Baptist Church of Madison where she served as director of the children’s choir, bible school teacher, and chairman of the board of deacons.

Carol joined the Rotary Club of Mayodan (now Madison-Mayodan) in December 1987 and served as the first woman president in 1990-91.  She served as member or chairman of many club committees.  She became district governor in 1996-97 and was one of the first 18 women district governors.  She served at the district level as chairman of the Interact, public relations, and foundation scholarship selection.

She served as Discussion Leader at Carolinas’ PETS and on Zone Institute committees.  She served as chairman of the Southland Breakfast at the 2006 RI Copenhagen Convention.

She was a Rotary International President’s Representative and district representative to the 2004 Council on Legislation.

-PRID Ken Morgan (2017)