Carletta Edge Staley was born on March 2, 1958 to the late William Wallace Edge, Sr. and Johnsie Debnam Strickland of Rocky Mount, NC. She was preceded in death by: her brothers, William Wallace Edge, Jr. and John Thomas Edge, Sr.; maternal grandparents, Thomas and Naomi Debnam; and paternal grandparents, Willie and Helen Edge. She was peacefully called to eternal rest on June 23, 2026.

Carletta was a graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High School (class of 1976). After high school, she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then later joined the Army. In 1981, she completed her training for image interpreter in the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Schools. She remained in the army until she was honorably discharged in 1984. Carletta returned to school and received an Associate of Arts degree from Montgomery College in Maryland in 1996. She graduated with honors and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Carletta devoted her life to working in academia. She worked at Montgomery College in Montgomery County, Maryland where she received awards for her exemplary work. Later, she worked at Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, NC as assistant to the vice president of academic affairs, Bennett College in Greensboro, NC as the director of auxiliary services, and eventually retired from North Carolina A&T State University as the assistant director of the transportation institute.

Carletta was also a talented athlete, writer, musician, and performer of spoken word. She enjoyed running track in high school and continued that love by participating in the track and field events in the Greater Greensboro Senior Games. She won several 1st and 2nd place medals for running the 50 meter and 100 meter dashes in the local games and state finals. She also participated in the performing arts having a leading role in the stage play Fences by August Wilson, and won 1st place in the NC Senior Games state finals for her performance of A Brave and Startling Truth by Maya Angelou. Carletta also enjoyed playing the flute and writing poetry. During her life, she copyrighted collections of her own poetry about love, family, nature, and her faith. Most importantly, Carletta was a woman of unwavering faith and dedication to fulfilling God’s purpose. She was a committed member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC, and served as president of the Missionary Ministry for several years.

Carletta was a kind, gentle, loving, and generous mother, sister, wife, and friend. Known for her sense of adventure and free spirit, she will be missed by all who were blessed to know her. She leaves to cherish her memory: husband, William Staley of Greensboro, NC; two sons, Roy Benjamin Melton of Lafayette, IN and Narayand Bernard Dudley of Graham, NC; one daughter, Sarada Devi Maree Dudley-Brown (James) of Graham, NC; one stepson, Chancellor Staley (Shasta) of Greensboro, NC; three grandchildren, William, Jamari, and Amaya; three step-grandchildren, Jordyn, Cameron, and Julia; one sister, Helen Patricia Curry of Rocky Mount, NC; one brother, W. Brian Edge of St. Louis, MO; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation with the family and funeral service is 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively Thursday, July 02, 2026 in Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2700 West Vandalia Road, Greensboro, NC interment will follow in the church cemetery.