Carline Philyaw Pilkington

RALEIGH - Carline Pilkington was born on July 17, 1934, in Lenoir County, North Carolina. She was one of eight children born to Stella and Carl Philyaw. She passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 67 years, Albert Pilkington, Jr.; and by her siblings, Maxine Philyaw Hales, Gene Raymond Philyaw, Carl Philyaw, Jr., and Daphine Philyaw Miller. She loved her many nieces and nephews who survive her, along with her surviving siblings, Frances Philyaw, Helon Snead, and Anthony Philyaw.

Carline was employed by Westinghouse Electric Company for a total of 30 years. She resigned to attend Mitchell's Hairstyling Academy and after receiving her cosmetology certification, she worked and managed the Longview Beauty Salon for seven years. She found out that was not her 'cup of tea' and went to Westinghouse until her retirement to spend more time at their Carolina Beach house. Gardening became her favorite activity, and she won "Best Lawn" in the Brentwood community several times. She had an eye for garden design and spent countless hours in her flower beds.

As with her mother, Stella Philyaw, Carline was the glue that kept the family together celebrating many occasions to get their large family together. She was a gracious hostess to many, and some of her relatives spent nights and weeks at her home. She was loved by all her family, and she loved her siblings, nieces, and nephews deeply. Carline and Albert were instrumental in raising their nephew, Jason Philyaw, who was more a son than nephew to them both. She lived for the past few years with Jason and Heather Philyaw in Raleigh, a city she also dearly loved.

The family will receive friends and relatives for visitation from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh (831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27604). A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Selma Memorial Gardens (1350 S. Pollock Street, Selma, NC 27576).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carline's memory to Transitions LifeCare Hospice or to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com