Dr. Carolyn Ann Gause Self

Carolyn Ann Gause was born to Rev. George Chavis and Helen (Vereen) Gause on May 6, 1944, in Horry County, South Carolina. The youngest of 11 siblings, her eldest sister Helen Eva Mae had already set out in her adult life leaving Gladys Elizabeth, Bernice Mary, John Henry, Darnell Calhoun, Gary Carnell, Mattie Belle, Ruby Thomasena, Joseph Bosen, Mattie Belle and Ruthie Mae to help tend their parents’ small homestead in Nichols. It was here she developed a deep love and respect for the animals, seeding her thirst for knowledge to care for them. Her love of education would liberate her from the chains of the path the world expected her to tread.

No stranger to the systems suffocating the segregated south, her mother suggested the realistic goal of nursing when Carolyn insisted on continuing her education. Instead, she developed a robust study habit while obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Biology at South Carolina State College, as well as joining Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. along the way. She would hold many jobs over the years to pay for her education, including driving a school bus. She most fondly recalled her summers spent working in Shenandoah National Park as a US Park Ranger before undertaking the rigors of the prestigious Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine program. Education and enrichment were her priorities but did not impede her romance and marriage to Howrhu Marcus Self before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1971.

By the time the newlyweds had graduated, the great migration of the 70’s promise of opportunity lead them to New Jersey. They had Howrhu Mbiya and Asha Kae before settling in Cherry Hill. The move would prove to be shrewd for, though the north was definitively not devoid of the issues fueling the migration, the environment provided an important opportunity for a dedicated, discerning, fastidious, phenomenal, beautiful black woman embarking on her veterinary career.

When she began working at Collingswood Veterinary Hospital, she became one of the first black female veterinarians to practice in southern New Jersey. There, she would garner respect from her colleagues and throughout the 80’s and 90’s she joined and held positions in: The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association where she was appointed to a seat on the New Jersey Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners; The American Veterinary Medical Association and the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association.

Dr. Self’s years of public service would see her add volunteer work to her agenda during this era, participating in monthly rabies vaccine clinics, performing pet assisted therapy visits to nursing homes and hospitals, arranging school outreaches and delivering meals on wheels. All as she was proving herself a steadfast member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Lawnside NJ as a member of the United Methodist Women, she participated in race relations and education outreach, became an AFS Intercultural Programs host mom, and most importantly the Assistant Director of the Olde Tyme Gospel Hour.

By 2010, she was enjoying semi retirement, traveling to various continents, and accumulating an impressive half century as a practicing veterinarian until multiple myeloma caused her to fully retire in 2020.

Carolyn fought the disease with the same dedication she invested in a lifelong commitment to family, 60 years of public service, 55 years of marriage and 50 years of practicing veterinary medicine. Despite keeping a healthy diet and exercise, after an impressive 4 year battle, she suddenly succumbed to complications of myeloma at Virtua Marlton Hospital Monday, July 8th 2024 surrounded by family. She leaves to love in her memory husband, Howrhu Marcus Self; children Howrhu Mbiya and Asha (Miguel); grandchildren Alyça & Lena, her siblings: Gary Carnell, Joseph Bosen and Ruthie Mae; and innumerable extended family and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the NJVMA https://njvma.org/donations/ are also greatly appreciated.

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*To Veterinarians: “Veterinarians and students in foreign countries can make use of the unused textbooks, journals, instruments, equipment, and other supplies cluttering many veterinary clinics in the United States.”

(Learn more here https://www.avma.org/news/donate-books-journals-and-supplies)

As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving

And the rosebuds know to bloom in early may

Just as hate knows love's the cure

You can rest your mind assure

That I'll be loving you always

As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow

But in passing will grow older every day

Just as all that's born is new

You know what I say is true

That I'll be loving you always

Always

(Until the ocean covers every mountain high)

Always

(Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea)

Always

(Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream)

Did you know that true love asks for nothing

Her acceptance is the way we pay

Did you know that life has given love a guarantee

To last through forever and another day

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Just as kindness knows no shame

Know through all your joy and pain

That I'll be loving you always

As today I know I'm living but tomorrow

Could make me the past but that I mustn't fear

For I'll know deep in my mind

The love of me I've left behind

'Cause I'll be loving you

Always

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