Carolyn B. Anderson

Carolyn B. Anderson, 93, left this Earth in the early morning hours of January 4, 2015. Carolyn is survived by six children, Patricia Anderson (Andy) of Summerfield, FL, Judith Hull, Ernest Shearer (Laura), and Walter Shearer, all of Indianapolis; Rebecca Meredith (Rick) of Noblesville, and Jonathan Edwards (Maria) of Frankfurt, Germany. Also, 10 grandchildren (one granddaughter, Angela Shearer preceded her in death), 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Born March 23, 1921 to John Breckenridge Jones and Martha Jones in Indianapolis, Carolyn Jones was born the youngest of six children. She graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1939. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Ruth Roberts Jeffries, Lee Gordon, Irene Waymire, Harry Brasille and Nancy Elizabeth “Betty” Gilley. Carolyn was devoted to her faith, and in the 1950’s took in several foster children through her church, caring for those who were in need, including some with disabilities. She loved them as her own children, instilling in them the same values and self-determination she did her own children. Carolyn also served as a Sunday school teacher and did missionary work, traveling to Haiti several times with her church in the early 1980s. Carolyn devoted herself to raising her children and being a homemaker. She began a career in sales after the age of 50, working for Niagara as a sales representative. Her job took her away from Indianapolis for a time; Carolyn moved to Tuscola, TX, where she resided from 1971-1975, then after briefly relocating to Indy, moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada from 1977-1983, when she returned to Indianapolis. Professionally, Carolyn found great success with the company and was number one salesperson for the company in North America for five years. She traveled throughout the world for her job, visiting every continent except Australia and the Antarctic. Back at home, she was a fixture at the Niagara booth in the Exposition Hall during the Indiana State Fair every year, where she entertained and comforted weary fair-goers with a few moments in one of her massage chairs. Carolyn’s hallmark was love, and she cared for everyone. Whether family who have been away for awhile, a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or a step- or foster child coming into the family, Carolyn treated everyone with the same unconditional love, kindness and respect. Her signature reply to being told “I love you” was “I love you more,” a statement she and everyone she said it to believed completely. Carolyn was never afraid to speak her mind, but a kick in the pants was always immediately followed by a warm hug. More than being accepting, Carolyn was welcoming to everyone who entered her circle, greeting guests new and old with a warm embrace and a compliment. Carolyn leaves the world in a much better state than she found it in, leaving 28 direct descendants, an example of faith and a legacy of immeasurable love, caring and kindness. She touched the hearts of everyone she met, and she will be missed forever. Visitation will be Friday, January 9, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 E. Washington St. with funeral services Saturday at 12 noon.

Tributes

Carolyn B. Anderson

March 23, 1921 - January 4, 2015