Carol Adriane Sterling, 56 was the daughter of Carroll Ranford Sterling and the late Norma Mae (Hall) Sterling. Carol Adriane was born January 8, 1960 in Crisfield, Maryland. After a lengthy battle with breast cancer, Carol Adriane was called home to eternal rest on Friday, February 12, 2016 at her residence while embraced by her family.
Carol Adriane was educated in the Somerset County Public School System. She continued her studies at Wor-Wic Tech Community College where she obtained an Associates degree in Secretarial Science. While attending Wor-Wic Tech, she achieved high marks and was on the Dean’s List.
Throughout high school and her post-graduate education, Carol Adriane was employed at Byrd’s Seafood in Crisfield until she relocated to Baltimore. After moving, she married her childhood sweetheart Ricky Ward. Carol Adriane’s degree was put to use when she began her professional career at the Central Maryland Health Systems Agency in downtown Baltimore. She then later provided bookkeeping services for BHW Cleaning Services – a family-owned business – and administrative support for the Maryland Committee for Children. Carol Adriane’s next step in her career was as a medical office coordinator for Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Her 14 years at Bayview afforded her the chance to deepen her knowledge in the medical industry. Since Carol Adriane was a very ambitious person, she sought out another opportunity for growth and landed at the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) Office of Real Estate. Carol Adriane worked her final eight years at SHA where she gained not only more knowledge but also many close friendships. She was a quick learner and was dedicated to furthering herself. While at SHA, Carol Adriane completed a professional development program called Stepping Into Success and earned a promotion into a new field of study. Her steadfastness and commitment were evident throughout her tenure. Carol Adriane studied, prepared, and successfully interviewed for her new position all while fighting her battle with cancer.
Carol Adriane’s Christian journey began at Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church where she accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. Her love of the music ministry was strong; however, Carol Adriane was hesitant to join the Voices of Praise Choir. Over the course of time, Carol Adriane eventually made the move to become a part of the music ministry. Her adoration for the choir was apparent to all. After she was convinced to join, Carol Adriane turned out to be one of the choir’s best altos. She took her duties to the church very seriously and, due to her persistence and diligence, she was recognized by the minister of music as one who continually progressed over the years. Carol Adriane took things a step further and established her own hospitality committee within the church choir where she celebrated birthdays and created cards for each individual. This became a part of the official by-laws for the church choir. Carol Adriane was deeply committed to her relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of this faithful relationship with the Lord, her Pastor requested that Carol Adriane become a steward of the church and she humbly accepted. It would never be a surprise to anyone to find Carol Adriane asking for her Bible, a scripture to be read, or her family to sing a hymn for her.
Those who knew Carol Adriane witnessed her passionate, caring, and strong personality! She loved bringing family and friends together and cooking for the masses. Carol Adriane was very proud of the education and opportunities that both her sons received from Morgan State University, and more times than not, you would see her sporting MSU attire. Carol Adriane’s beautiful smile and humorous character will truly be missed.
Those left to cherish the many memories are her father, Carroll R. Sterling; two sons, Cedric (Eboni) and Austin Ward and their father, Ricky Ward all of Baltimore; five siblings, Angie Sterling, Maynard Sterling and Myra Sterling, all of Salisbury, Carroll “Sonny” Green of New Jersey and Yvette Cross (Michael) of Crisfield; one uncle; two aunts; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Living Hope Ministries in Marion Station, MD, with a viewing one hour prior. A viewing will also be held Friday 6-8 PM at the church. Interment will be in Mt. Peer Cemetery in Marion Station.
17 Responses
My prays and heartfelt sympathy to the Sterling and Ward families. Carol was a strong, hardworking woman with a great love for her family. She will be missed by those whose lives she touched. May she rest in God’s arms and eternal peace.
I had the honor of working with Carol at SHA. She was a very sweet, honest, and loving person and I will truly miss her. I will cherish the memories we had and pray that she is at peace. She was taken from her family and all the many friends that loved her way too soon. God now has a very special angel 💕
The death of a loved one is hard to bear. Please take comfort in knowing that your heavenly father understands your pain as he too experienced the death of his only son, Jesus Christ. Job 14: 14, 15 shows that God yearns to bring your dear loved one back to life. If you would like to know more about God’s promises, please visit the website jw.org. Please accept my heartfelt condolence for your loss.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the lord. My prayers to the Family.
Carol was a special person- She will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers to her sons and family. Carol shall be missed very much.
I worked with Carol at MD State Highway, she was a joy to talk to and be around. She was a Steelers fan and I’m a Ravens fan, so we had fun joking each others team. She will be missed and my prayers and condolences to the Sterling/Ward families. Rest In Peace Carol, until we meet again.
My prayers and condolences is extended to you and your family. Carol and I were in a program called “Stepping Into Success”, here at the State Highway Administration. I was blessed to have Carol as my “SIS” in the program and to have her as a friend with a very warm spirit. She was a loving person that loved God, her family and friends. May you continue to blessed with sweet memories of Carol.
I express my deepest sympathy’s to the family and friends of Ms. Carol Sterling. She was always willing to lend a helping hand whether it was for work, family care, or simply lending her ear and listening. I’ll always miss you Ms. Sterling but will never forget you. Others and I will use all the great memories of you so you may live on forever, not just in our hearts, but in every new life that is created after we are no longer in this world.
Sending prayers and love to the Ward and Sterling families. Carol was far too young to leave us.
My prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Carol. I can only echo the sentiments of everyone else about Carol’s warmth, helpfulness and compassion, not to mention her laughter. What I will recall most is Carol’s iron-clad and immovable faith in God. She always looked to Him for her hope and strength.
Carol, you are loved and missed. Our comfort lies in the fact that we know you are now enjoying your eternal reward for a life of faith and love.
2 Timothy 4: Verse 7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Wishing the Ward and Sterling families the strength to deal with the loss of Carol. She was a very nice person and I pray the Lord will comfort her family knowing she is now at peace. She will truly be missed!
Heartfelt condolences to Carol’s family. I met her through a program at State Highway Administration and for at least two years and then some, she was my SIS. She was a lovely person and had a good sense of humor. She was proud of her sons. Her photo here truly reflects the kind of person she was – just wonderful.
Sincere condolences goes to the family Ms. Carol was a good person she will truly be missed but remember the battle is not yours it is the Lords. Austin and Cedric stay strong brothers.
Carol you will be missed. I enjoyed the seeing you smile every time I came to ORE thanks for the joy you shared with everyone. My condolence to your family. Keep smiling down on us:-)
To Austin, Cedric and family: I am so sorry to hear of Ms. Carol’s passing. I will keep all of my fond memories of her with me as time goes on. Your family has my deepest sympathy and prayers as you cope with her home going.
My sympathy is with both families. Sending love and light to everyone. xoxo