Carolyn Michelle Scott Pryor

Carolyn Michelle Scott-Pryor, was born to parents Buford and Beatrice Scott, in Kansas City, Kansas.  She was the youngest sibling of Larry Scott, Sr., Barbara Scott, Buford Scott, III.  She grew up near the 3800 block of Bellefontaine Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri. Everyone knew the Scott’s on the block and Carolyn became great friends with a lot of them especially, Joyce Hayes (Bridges).  Carolyn was the baby of the bunch but a loving sister for them all.

As a kid, friends would call her Mickey based on her middle name Michelle and they would ride bikes, hang out at the candy store, eat hot pickles, and play outside.  Everyone in the neighborhood knew the Scott’s, and Carolyn’s upbringing allowed her to put a handle of respect with neighborhood families and represent her own family by being a well-mannered child.  She played competitive basketball, tennis, enjoyed getting down on the skates and dancing. 

Carolyn attended Sanford B. Ladd Elementary School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Hogan Prepatory Academy; Class of 1978, and University of Missouri- Columbia; Class of 1983.  She was a part of the Black Choir at MU where she led songs and traveled with her talent. She graduated from Mizzou with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. After graduating, she was hired to be a nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital (VA) in Columbia, MO before transferring to Menorah Medical Center on Troost Ave. in Kansas City as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. Upon, the closing of Menorah Medical, she went on to work as a Pediatric Charge Nurse at Children’s Mercy Hospital.  She completed her nursing career with 41 years of dedicated service.

Once she graduated from college, she married and had two children; Albert “AJ” Pryor, Jr. and Brianna Pryor who became the highlight of her life. Her personality, intelligence and love for family would radiate through her children because she made family and education a priority and a standard of life. As a single parent, she was extremely involved.  Carolyn took her children on vacations, she was present at school activities and highlighted as the loudest parent in the stands at sporting events. She was proud and humble and also the life of the party. She had a relationship with everyone she encountered.

She dedicated her time by volunteering with Girl Scout troops, Convey of Hope, Flu Clinics, and speaking to the youth about the nursing field. She was also a member of the Black Nurses Association.  People knew she was a caregiver by her innate ability to care led others to reach out to her for their child’s needs. When her grandson Landon was born, he became “Nana’s man”, “Lan Lan”, “Pants”, and an overall piece of her heart.  Carolyn was a dedicated grandparent. She changed her work schedule to care for him throughout the week, she helped with his homework, traveled with him and attended all of his events/programs.  She was respectfully the world’s best Nana.

Carolyn knew her family history and always had a story to tell. She made sure her family had holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, and that she was there to support others. When people were in need, she would give effortlessly to make sure they were comfortable and had resources to move forward.  She had so much love for others and took in her children’s friends as daughters and sons. She was very protective of all her loved ones, especially her own kids. Brianna and AJ never went without. She would literally drop everything for them. They were loved vibrantly and cared for wholeheartedly.

Carolyn accepted Christ at an early age.  She found Christian leadership at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Zion Grove Baptist Church, Christian Fellowship Baptist Church and Refreshing Waters Worship Center where she was attending.  Livestreaming with Pastor Frank King of Refreshing Waters was a part of her Sunday and weekly routine. She was consistent in her devotion and prayer time.

On Wednesday, September 14^th, 2022, Carolyn succumbed to her illness of stage four peritoneal mesothelioma; a rare cancer.  She gave it a great fight and decided she wanted a new body and God called her home. Her maternal grandparents Herbert and Maggie Wilson; her parents Buford and Beatrice Scott; her brother Larry Scott, Sr.; her son Albert Pryor, Jr., all preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Brianna Pryor; grandson, Landon Gadson; brother, Buford Scott III (Cynthia); sister, Barbara Scott; aunt, Betti Scott; best friend, Carolyn Martin, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.