Printest Carey

Printest Carey was born on June 13, 1948, in Green Pond, South Carolina, Printest was the third of nine children born to the late Charlie Carey, Sr. and Susie Jenkins-Carey. On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, God called home, Printest Carey from labor to reward.

From an early age, he was gifted with the ability to connect with people—a gift he continued to share throughout his life. Printest was an honor student throughout elementary and high school, graduating from Colleton High School in May 1965. Soon after, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Brown (who preceded him in death on January 6, 1982). He was later drafted into the United States Air Force, where he served as a Security Police Officer (Now known as Security Forces 1975) providing security for Air Force bases and aircrafts. While serving, he often found ways to visit his family by taking flights to Charleston Air Force Base on weekends before being stationed in Thailand in support of air combat operations in North Vietnam and Loas. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force November 19, 1973 Printest and Janice moved to Paterson, New Jersey where he trained to be a Tool and Die Machinist. In 1979, they returned to South Carolina, where he began working as a machinist. On January 6, 1982, Janice went home to be with the Lord after her battle with cancer. Printest remained close to her family, continuing to mentor and support them, especially maintaining a special bond with his brother-in-law, Benjamin Brown.

Printest was a man of many interests and ventures. He owned a crabbing boat and a dance hall, often bringing family together at the end of the work week for crab boils. He shared his love of music through his dance hall and his creativity through jewelry-making, gifting handmade pieces to loved ones along with the stories behind them. Not all his business endeavors were profitable, but he embraced each as a learning experience. Ultimately, he returned to his machinist skills, crafting complex parts for aircraft and ships.

After retiring, Printest moved to New York and married Norma Bloomfield on July 4, 2009, following a four-year courtship. Their union spanned over sixteen years, and together they adopted Jayden and Alwon Carey. Before January 1960, Printest’s maternal grandmother, Mrs. Evie Jenkins, placed his name—and those of others,  grandchildren—on the membership roll of the United House of Prayer for All People in Walterboro, South Carolina. Though he had no biological children, Printest was a guiding presence in the lives of his many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He loved deeply, always offering encouragement and help grounded in God’s Word. He cherished the music of Bob Marley, finding that Bob’s lyrics reflected the teachings of Jesus Christ. One of his favorite sayings was: “We did some crazy stuff, and God blessed us enough to protect us. But one thing about Careys—we learn from our mistakes.” His wisdom, humor, and love will continue to inspire those he leaves behind.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice Brown; his sisters, Reatha Carey, Deloris Carey, Earldean Carey, Carolyn Carey-Smalls; his brother, Charlie Carey Jr.; nephews, Charles D. (Chuckie) Carey, and Kevin Mack.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Norma Carey, New York, NY; children, Jayden Carey, Alwon Carey, New York, NY; brother, Danny Carey (Sarah), Walterboro, SC; sisters, Linda Harley (Rowland), Saint Matthews, SC; Sandra Perry, Baltimore, MD; Godchildren, Okeisha P. Nero, Taisha Bivins Bryant, Oshun Black; bonus children,  Nadine Stewart, Ricardo Stewart, Anika Johnson, Cory Johnson; nieces and nephews (in order of birth), Michael Mack , Dr. Rev. Martinez Masterson, Shonnette Carey-Laylor,  Derrick Carey,  Keith Harley, Colonel (Ret.),  Raquel Mack,  Heath Harley,  Brenda Bryant,  Okeisha P. Nero, Shea Harley, Theresa A. Carey,  Nija Hicks,  Oshun Black,  Sophia Davis, Athea Ferrell, Ingrid Davis and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, great-grandnephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Printest Carey, please visit our floral store.