Carnella Bey

Carnella Bey, aged 75, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Rex Holly Springs Hospital in Holly Springs, North Carolina.
She was born December 19, 1950, in Montgomery, Alabama, the daughter of the late Carnell Murray and the late Louise Nelson. As a teen, Carnella participated in the infamous “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma led by Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis who fought for voting and civil rights. From the age of 16, she was raised in Southern California.

Carnella graduated from Regina Caeli Girls High School in Compton, CA. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, then her Masters degree from California State University, Long Beach. She also received her Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.
For over 25 years, Carnella served as an educator in the Los Angeles County School District.

Carnella was a member of Relentless Church in Garner, NC and was dearly loved by her church family. She chose North Carolina as her home for the last 8 years.

In addition to her parents, Carnella was preceded in death by her ex-husband Woodrow Bey and by her son Arthur Bey.

Carnella is survived by her daughter, Joy Bey, and her son, Caleb Bey. She is also survived by her sister Prenise Howard Reed, younger sister, Sanseria Murray, younger brother, Russell Murray, and her youngest God-sister Celeste Smith, who has been an intricate part of her life since the age of 16.
In addition, Carnella is remembered by her five grandchildren (Caleb Jr., Lucas, Mariah, Harmony and Lamar Bey), her oldest grandchildren’s mother (Rosemarie), her God-daughters (Kim, Kedra, Kelly, Jane) and God-granddaughter (Naomi) and God-grandson (Khalil), nephew (Varion) and a host of nieces & nephews.

A special thanks to the Relentless Church family, and many extended family members and friends who walked with her and will deeply miss her.

There will be a Homegoing Service on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at 10:00AM at Relentless Church, located at 1540 Mechanical Blvd Garner, North Carolina 27529 with Pastor David Jones officiating. The family requests in lieu of flowers that cards and memorial donations would be preferred and gratefully accepted in Carnella’s name to the following organizations:

Relentless Church Immeasurable More Campaign Building Fund Donate: https://relentlesschurch.cc/give/

RDU for FAMs Wake House Project Donate: https://carolinacarecenter.org/wakehouse/

Online condolences may be shared at Carnella *Ma Bey* Celebration of Life facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18rKCschLC/?mibextid=wwXIfr