Carolyn Jo Martin McCorkindale

Carolyn Jo Martin McCorkindale, of Roanoke, passed peacefully on Monday, November 24, 2025. She was born in Roanoke, VA, in 1940 to Howard and Dorothy Martin.

Carolyn was a graduate of Radford University and Virginia Tech, majoring in Business Education. Carolyn enjoyed a long career in teaching and business education and was a co-owner of a small business for 15 years. She started her career as a high school teacher and taught business courses at five area colleges over the years. She continued her business education career as an entrepreneur mentor at a local non-profit. She ended her career as the executive director of a business incubator in southwestern Virginia. During her retirement, Carolyn devoted many years to serving her church as clerk.

She was a vibrant and enthusiastic individual and was a wonderful mother to her children. She loved her extended family and fondly recalled her time with her many cousins in Floyd County, where she spent much time at her grandparents’ farms.

She enjoyed quiet contemplation time at her home, surrounded by trees. A lover of old-time music, such as Ralph Stanley, especially the a cappella Primitive Baptist tradition in which she grew up.

Carolyn’s passing was preceded by her parents, Howard and Dorothy Martin. Her surviving family includes her son, Matthew McCorkindale, of Roanoke, VA; daughter, Mary Catherine McCorkindale and son-in-law, Stephen O’Leyar, of Fairport, NY; her granddaughter, Caitlin O’Leyar, of Fairport, NY; and sister, Jean Saunders of Roanoke, VA.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lynn House of Potomac Valley.