Mark Darrell Carver

Mark Darrell Carver, son of Darrell and Cindy Carver, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family members on January 15, 2026. He was born April 1, 1985, and resided in Wendell, NC.

Mark grew up in a close-knit family grounded in faith and love for God and others with his two older brothers David and Stephen, and younger sister, Lara. Together, with their “Wendell families”, they all helped in creating different kinds of adventures and mischief with Mark being the ringleader. Several shenanigans included jumping off the roof onto the trampoline, creating a “powder room” with baby powder, and letting kittens cool off by sticking them in the freezer. Games such as “let’s pretend”, building forts in the woods, fishing and hunting, created a lifetime of memories.

Mark’s devotion to his family as “little and big brother” carried throughout his life into adulthood. He was the first to create a dare, ask about annual family beach trips, when to arrive for holiday meals, or volunteer to take the first bite of cheesecake.

From the time he could hold a bat, Mark was on the ball field. Mark played American Legion Baseball with Garner, Post 232, where his team won the State Championship in 1999 and 2004. Mark graduated from East Wake High School in 2003 excelling in both basketball and baseball and was inducted into the EWHS Hall of Fame in 2011. He received a full scholarship from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he broke school records in runs (79) and tied for home runs (21). He was recognized as CAA Player of the year, an “All American” collegiate Division One player as well as ranking second nationally in Division One NCAA for home runs in a season. Mark spent two years in the Minor Leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates before he began his career in medical sales with his dad.

Mark applied the same passion he had for baseball to his work as a sales representative. While often recognized for his outstanding sales, Mark’s colleagues have all shared that he was so much more than an incredibly skilled rep and mentor; he brought light to the OR, treating and caring for team members and patients as if they were all family.

Aside from his faith in God, Mark’s greatest passions were his children, Audrey (10) and Jack (8). Working together to co-parent their children, Mark and Jessie would say each of their favorite moments were ones where they could hear Audrey’s laugh and see Jack’s smile. Mark’s love for his children carried over to those who called him “Uncle” as well as his extended family with Ashley Wells and her children Austin and Wynn.

Mark is survived by his children, Audrey and Jack Carver, and their mother Jessie Carver; his extended family Ashley, Austin and Wynn Wells; his parents Darrell and Cindy Carver; brothers and sisters David (Megan), Stephen (Laura), and Lara (Kevin); his nieces and nephews Kyndal, Khloe, Kennedy, Caleb, Owen, Bailey, Emma, and Mason as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mark touched all he met, bringing light into the lives of all who knew him every time he stepped up to the plate.

In lieu of flowers, a trust fund will be established for Audrey and Jack Carver. Details for the trust will be available on the Strickland Funeral Home website at a later time.

Celebration of Life for Mark will take place at 3:00pm Sunday, May 3, 2026, in the Fellowship Hall of Zebulon Baptist Church, 400 North Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC 27597.