Fortune Allen Carolina, Jr., born in 1938, in Kershaw County, South Carolina, was a man whose life was marked by compassion, discipline, and quiet strength. He passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, while residing in Bowie, Maryland.

A gifted student, Fortune graduated from Mathers Academy in Camden, South Carolina, at the remarkable age of 15. While there, he also excelled on the football field, developing a lifelong love for the sport. He went on to attend Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where he earned his degree.

After college, Fortune proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal in recognition of his honorable service. Following his military tenure, he returned to South Carolina and briefly worked as a school teacher, shaping young minds before embarking on his long career in public service.

Fortune later moved to New York City, where he devoted his professional life to the New York City Department of Social Services. Over the years, his dedication and integrity earned him the respect of colleagues and those he served, culminating in his retirement as a supervisor. To further support his family, he also worked part-time for the United States Postal Service.

In June 1964, Fortune married Priscilla Williams, and from this union were born two children: Letitia Carolina-Powell and Fortune A. Carolina V. His devotion to family was unwavering, and he took great pride in his role as a father and later as a grandfather. In 2014, he married Hazel Leach who preceded him in death in 2020.

Outside of work, Fortune was a passionate football fan and a student of history, believing deeply in the power of learning from the past to create a better future. He instilled in his children his core values—the importance of education, perseverance, and love of family.

Fortune was preceded in death by his parents, Fortune Allen Carolina, Sr. and Catherine Carolina, and by his beloved sister and friend, Blanche Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Letitia Carolina-Powell (Dexter); his son, Fortune A. Carolina V (Melissa); grandchildren, Dexter Powell (Chelsea), Danielle Powell, Nicholas Powell, and Fortune A. Carolina VI; great-granddaughter, Synclair Powell; his first wife, Priscilla Carolina; and his special brother-in-law, James Johnson.

Fortune’s life was a testament to hard work, faith, and the enduring power of family. His kindness, humility, and strength will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Fortune's life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:00am at Powers Funeral Home, 832 Ridgeway Road, Lugoff, South Carolina, 29078 with burial to follow in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery.