Carolyn Donice Vappi was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 19, 1943 to the late Mabel and Willie Jackson. Carolyn was the fifth of six children. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Dorthy James and Jeanette Jackson, and brothers William "Bill" Jackson Sr., and James "Jim" Jackson.

Carolyn was baptized at Beth Eden Baptist Church, and attended John D. Shoop Elementary School (where she would later be an educator), Morgan Park High School (where she received many awards and accolades), and Chicago State University.

It was during her teen-age years that she met Bertrand Vappi and the two were later married on September 17, 1965. This union would exceed 36 years and would be blessed with one son Anthony David Vappi (Tony).

Through her early life she never wavered on wanting to be an educator. Upon graduation from Chicago State University, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and immediately began contributing to the education of the children of Chicago. First as a fourth-grade teacher at Eugene Field School on Chicago's North Side, and later at Shoop Elementary School on the South Side, where she had attended grammar school in her youth.

While serving The Chicago Public School system she received many awards and accolades including numerous Certificates of Individual Classroom Achievement, Teacher Appreciation Awards, Chicago Public School Children First Awards, and many plaques, pins, and acknowledgements.
Carolyn retired from The Board of Education on July 1, 1999 wherein she devoted herself to her family, particularly to her grandchildren, whom she taught, loved, spoiled and cherished every day.

Carolyn loved to read and has a vast collection of novels, short stories, and poetry. She would eventually spread her love of books and reading to her child and grandchildren who have adopted her love of literature.

As indicated by her giving and caring nature, she regularly contributed to charities even after retirement, including, The World Wildlife Fund, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, The American Heart Association, and the St. Joseph's Indian School, just to name a few.

Carolyn leaves to cherish her memories, devoted son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Tara Vappi; grandsons Tyler Justin and Tristan Anthony Vappi; brother Gary (Denise) Jackson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

The Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m., located at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.