Carrie F. Osborne-Jefferson was born in Fairfax, Alabama to Ruby W. Gaines (Farley) and Eddie Lee Gaines. She was the only sister of her beloved brothers Eddie C. Gaines and Ponce de Leon Gaines (both deceased). After the premature death of her father and as a young child in the 1930s, she journeyed on a bus from the south to Boston with her mother Ruby, her paternal grandmother Eula "Grandma" Gaines, and Eula's young children, her aunts and uncles who were more like brothers and sisters.

Carrie graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School, and after, had a brief marriage to Willie White. She went on to become a union representative at a Boston meatpacking plant where she worked, while bowling on the weekends with friends.  She had a short marriage to Emanuel Grosse, Sr., and gave birth in 1949 to a sweet, fat cheeked baby boy Emanuel (Manny) Grosse (deceased) who enlisted in the Marines to fight in the Vietnam War at age 16.

In the1950s, Carrie married Raymond Osborne, the father of her children Farley R. Osborne and Rayma L. Osborne. She spent the entirety of her life cheering on and supporting her children, and later her grandchildren, in their life pursuits. They were her pride and joy.

Most notably, while Farley and Rayma were still in grade school, she volunteered at the Highland Park Free School, and then the Hawthorne Youth and Community Center, where she developed and taught a "Fun with Words" class to get the youth excited about the power of words and reading.  She worked closely alongside Sam, the center's former director, participating in activities with the kids herself, and ensuring a bright future for the next generation.

She served the Hawthorne Youth and Community Center for more than 30 years as Board Member and Treasurer, seeing to it that neighborhood children had and continue to have access to education, cultural programs, sports, and community services.

By profession, Carrie was a bookkeeper. She was an avid reader who loved history, poetry and travel. She also loved music, movies, golf and was a consummate jewelry collector. Carrie took every opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ. She was full of wisdom, deeply spiritual and proud to say: "I am a Believer."

Carrie's late husband Adolphus G. Jefferson (Jeff) passed in 1996, and her long-time companion Matsey Traylor in 2022.  Memories will be cherished by her son Farley Osborne, her daughter-in-law Leslie, and her grandchildren Basia and Brandin; and her daughter Rayma (Osborne) Alexander, her son-in-law Melvin, and grandchildren Noni and Nadir. She also leaves a daughter-in-law Jean Muslim and her daughter Khalena, her sister-in-law Barbara Gaines, goddaughter Keesha Gaines, adoring cousins, nephews and nieces, and a host of family and friends.

Thank you for joining us today in this Celebration of Life -- A life well-lived.  We love you, Carrie.