Carolyn Willey

Carolyn Ann Kelley Willey was born on July 26, 1926, in Promise City, Iowa, the only daughter of Eva Clark Kelley and Nova Kelley. Her youngest years were spent there, where she became fast friends with neighbor Norma Winegar—the first of many beloved life-long friends. Before she entered school, her family moved to “the farm”. ( Her dad loved farming and alternated between that and owning small grocery stores around Wayne County. He served as Sherriff of Wayne County in the 50’s )

Carolyn first attended country school, but when her mom needed surgery, the family moved to Denver. ( Quite a shock for a farm kid! She recalled the school being so large that she couldn’t locate the math room & missed the first several weeks. She never liked math after that !) Carolyn was almost 12 when her mom passed away, and she and her father moved back to Corydon. This was at the height of the Depression. With limited job opportunities and major hospital bills, her father found work in Alaska, while Carolyn lived with her aunt and family, Bernice and Earl Bristol. There were other family members who also lived there, but the kids—8 of them—became like the siblings Carolyn never had. They were close their entire lives! ( Besides the 8 kids, there were up to 5 adults also living there and ONE BATHROOM! Lots of family jokes about that! Those siblings still refer to each other as “sister- or brother-cousins.”)

When Carolyn’s father returned to Corydon, they lived in a small home, while Carolyn attended Corydon High School and worked part time at the Rexall Drugs. In 1944, Carolyn graduated, having earned her “Normal Degree” which allowed her to teach school. She remembers country school—in fact taught returning students who interrupted their schooling to fight in WWII. A couple of her 20 students were older than she was!

On June 5, 1945, Carolyn and Kenneth Willey were wed. They were blessed with almost 57 years together. Carolyn went back to work after Ken, a carpenter, had an accident, injuring his back. She worked again at Rexall Drugs, and then became a elementary school aid for Lois Hart.  In 1969, Carolyn was asked to help start a wonderful Wayne County Non-profit, the Home Health Agency. That was her “perfect” career—helping others, training those who serve and connecting people with needed services.  Their work continues today.

Carolyn was active in the Corydon Methodist Church, ONO (“ Our Night Out” – a group of friends—beginning with mostly high school chums, but ever-expanding !), PEO, and she served on both the hospital and library boards. She was an artist from her childhood and many homes have her paintings, either oil or watercolor. She and Kenny loved to antique, cook together, travel, and, in earlier years, square dance, camp and socialize with other couples. Two favorite trips were to Alaska to visit where Carolyn’s dad had worked in the 30’s and an annual “snowbird” trip to McCallum, Texas where they met up with several other Wayne county couples and had lots of new friends and experiences.

Carolyn lived in Wayne County for over 80 years, moving to Kirksville her last few years to be close to daughter Melissa Nelson who has been huge support to both Carolyn and Patrick. She died in Kirksville, MO on February 7, 2021, not of Covid-19, but declining health.

Carolyn leaves 3 children: Kathy, Patrick, and Melissa, 4 grandchildren: Kristen, Alison, Kyle and Kristopher and 5 great-grandchildren: Wesley, Kenny, Micah, Lydia, and Carter. She LOVED her family and was proud of each. Carolyn was a woman of prayer and strong faith, so she was anticipating a wonderful reunion with beloved family and friends. Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear…There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Memorial gifts may be made to any of the Corydon organizations she loved and supported or, in Kirksville PEO, chapter CZ (in care of Melissa Nelson, 19169 State Hiway #157, Kirksville, MO 63501), or California, CityTeam Ministries, (2306 Zanker Rd, San Jose, CA 95131.) Thank you.

Carolyn will be cremated. Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.