A Tragic Loss: The Life and Legacy of Carrie Everett
Carrie Everett, a young and vibrant pageant queen who made history as the first Liberian American to win the Miss North Carolina title, passed away on Sunday after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of cancer. Her death has left a profound impact on her community, friends, and family, who remember her not only for her achievements but also for her inspiring spirit.
Everett, who was 22 years old, was a Seattle native and a sophomore at North Carolina Central University when she won the Miss North Carolina title in June 2024. As the first student from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to claim the title, she broke barriers and set a powerful example for others. She was known for her dedication to her studies and her passion for vocal performance, which earned her a talent award and a scholarship at the Miss America competition.
Her journey took a tragic turn in the summer of 2025, just over a year after becoming Miss North Carolina. During a visit to Seattle, she began experiencing severe symptoms such as intense bloating and coughing. Initially, doctors diagnosed her with pneumonia, but further scans revealed masses in her abdomen, swollen lymph nodes, and thickening of her stomach lining. A few days later, she started coughing up blood and was rushed to the hospital for a biopsy, which confirmed a rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer known as metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma.
A Courageous Fight Against Cancer
Everett’s battle with cancer was marked by resilience and determination. Her family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of her treatment, and they shared updates on her progress. At first, she responded well to chemotherapy, and there were moments of hope, including a report that her tumors had shrunk significantly. However, traditional chemo approaches eventually proved ineffective, and her family decided to move her out of state for more specialized treatment.
Despite the challenges, Everett remained positive and focused on living her life to the fullest. Her family described the “radical changes” her lifestyle underwent due to her treatments, but she continued to inspire those around her. Her Instagram and GoFundMe pages featured heartfelt messages from loved ones, expressing their admiration for her strength and grace.
A Lasting Impact
On April 6, the family announced that Carrie had passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. In a statement shared on her social media and the GoFundMe page, they wrote: “We are heartbroken to share that last night, the beautiful nightingale, Helen Carrie Everett, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.”
They went on to describe how her voice and presence touched the lives of many. “The cries of her heart became songs that stirred the spirits of everyone who had the pleasure of hearing her sing. She lived a full life, and with her last words, on stage and in life, she proclaimed the goodness of God.”
Her legacy continues to live on through the impact she made on her community and the inspiration she provided to others. Her family asked for privacy during this difficult time and mentioned that details about her memorial would be shared soon.
Honoring Her Legacy
The Miss North Carolina Scholarship Organization released a statement expressing their sincere sympathy to the family of Carrie Everett. They highlighted her efforts to encourage students from HBCUs to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Miss America program. The organization also noted that she challenged minority and socially marginalized students to focus on goal setting and personal development.
“Her untimely passing silences a strong voice for social justice, but her impact will continue to live on in the lives she touched,” the statement concluded.
