A former Miss North Carolina has passed away at the young age of 22 after a “courageous battle” with cancer, as her grieving family revealed on Monday.
Carrie Everett, who won the Miss North Carolina pageant in 2024, died on Sunday, following a diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cancer just under a year ago.
While still a full-time student at North Carolina Central University, Everett earned the title of Miss North Carolina.
Almost a year later, during the summer of 2025, she was diagnosed with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma, a particularly aggressive stomach cancer, according to a GoFundMe set up by her family.
“These things are happening for a reason, and God has allowed me to use my voice to give a voice to others,” she had expressed at that time.
She started chemotherapy with hopes of countering the cancer’s effects, but her family announced on March 21 that the treatment wasn’t working.
Sadly, Everett, a devoted Christian, passed away just 15 days later on Easter Sunday.
She was known not only for her beauty, but also for her singing talent, aiming to graduate in 2027 with a degree in vocal performance from North Carolina Central University.
“The cries of her heart became songs that touched the souls of all who enjoyed hearing her sing. She lived a full life, proclaiming the goodness of God in her final words both on stage and in life. Her impact on this world is undeniable, and we will continue her legacy of advocacy and praise,” her family shared.
Evans was also deeply involved in the Equity to Build Community initiative she founded. This program seeks to dismantle systemic barriers so that more young women can participate in the Miss America community.
She was quite open about the financial hurdles that many aspiring beauty queens face, which extend far beyond the entry fees. Remarkably, she arrived at her own Miss North Carolina pageant with just $40 in her pocket, praising her community during her victory speech for their support.
In an impressive accomplishment, Everett became the first student or graduate from a historically black college or university (HBCU) to be crowned Miss North Carolina.
A GoFundMe initiated by her family has continued to attract significant donations even after the announcement of her passing, gathering over $70,000 by Monday.
