Carol Reese Dykers, PhD

In the company of chosen family, Carol Reese Dykers, PhD passed away peacefully at home on the afternoon of Sunday, September 17, 2023, from Lewy Body Dementia. She was 76. In her family of origin, Carol is survived by a sister, Sherry Gill; and two nephews, Michael and Christopher Linnen and their families. 

In Winston Salem, NC, she was the matriarch of a chosen family of women who cared for her in the last years of her life. She was other mother to Jacqui Causey and Marissa Byers Causey with whom she lived. Additional family includes Jasmine Huff, Elizabeth Dickinson and Jonathan Hill, and their daughter Harper Olive-Bell, and Sharon Pollard. She is also survived by Erin VanBuskirk, Bree King, Judith Williams, Waceline Cius, Starr Green, Tracee Threats, Marguerite Oestreicher, Whitney Strong, Erika Paige Barnette, and countless other Salem College students and advisees.

Born on the coast of North Carolina to Charlie and Eleanor Reese and raised in Longview, Texas, Carol was a southern belle with a Yankee sensibility. She was curious, generous, devoted, and easily distracted. She loved Cokie Roberts. Her laugh was contagious and quiet and often got away from her. It started with a chuckle and ended with breathless tears that embarrassed her. She was equal parts brilliance and innocence, and she was as likely to view the world through a child's eyes as she was to be devastated by the state of things. She was a passionate gardener. She was easily hurt, quick to take a moral stand, tireless and funny. She was prone to worry. She voted in every election.

From 1976 to 1986 Carol worked for the Charlotte Observer, first as assistant Metro Editor and eventually as a member of the Editorial Board. After earning her doctorate from UNC Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism and Media in 1995, she began her second career as an Associate Professor of Communication at Salem College. Carol, alias Dr. D, was a passionate educator and student advocate. She retired in 2019. Carol bred French Charolais cows and golden retrievers until she left her farm in Siler City for a condo in Winston Salem. 

She would like to be remembered as a feminist and an educator - as the daughter of veterans and as a patriot who devoted her career first to using her voice, and then to teaching new generations of women how to do the same. 

There are no services scheduled for Carol at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.