Carrie Everett, who was crowned Miss North Carolina in 2024, died of colon cancer on Easter Sunday, family members tell WRAL News.
Everett’s parents told WRAL News their daughter died Sunday night, requesting privacy. They shared the following statement:
“Carrie Everett passed away on Easter Sunday with her family and friends surrounding her with love. The family is spending time together as they celebrate her memory. They ask that you continue to pray for them. [and] celebrate his anniversary.”A statement from Carrie Everett’s family
The talented singer used her voice for the benefit of others
Everett attended North Carolina Central University, where he majored in vocal performance.
In tribute, NCCU Chancellor Dr. Karrie G. Dixon wrote, “Carrie chose NCCU because of the university’s music program — she enjoyed singing gospel music — and always graced NCCU events with her beautiful singing voice. Her passion, grace, perseverance and talent will be greatly missed.”
Everett’s talent was showcased during her reign as Miss North Carolina. After winning the crown in 2024, she told WRAL News that she plans to go back to college and wants to become a gospel singer.
Before he could live that dream, he was diagnosed with cancer. In July 2025, when he was 21 years old, tests found a mass in his stomach. He had metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma, an aggressive cancer that starts in the stomach.
In March, family members posted on a GoFundMe page that Everett’s chemotherapy wasn’t working and shared plans to fly him out of the country for treatment.
Everett, who was the child of immigrants who struggled financially, used his platform to advocate for opportunity for all. In interviews, she said that their struggles made her path to the crown a challenge, and that many of the dresses she wore during the competition were borrowed or from thrift stores.
The Miss North Carolina Association recognized her contributions in a statement.
Carrie aggressively used the platform provided by the Miss North Carolina title to encourage students at historically black colleges and universities to take advantage of the academic and professional opportunities offered by the Miss America program. He also challenged the weak and disadvantaged students in the society to focus on goal setting and personal development, to set their sights high. His untimely passing silences a strong voice for social justice but his impact will live on in the lives he touched. Miss North Carolina Association
Dixon wrote: “Her work in recruiting young women who might not consider pageants because of the expensive entry fees and wardrobes was outstanding.
Everett was the fourth Montsho woman to win the medal since the competition started in 1937. She wanted to work in the education of girls and make it possible for future girls to have access.
Rare cancer for such a young person
Studies show that signet-ring cell carcinoma is diagnosed most often in people around the age of 40.
A WRAL documentary looking at the rise in cancer screenings among young people found that colon cancer was one of 14 different cancers that saw an increase in those under 40 between 2010 and 2019.
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