Carol Lynne Nelson

Carol Lynne (Anthony) Nelson joined her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 peacefully at her residence in Fishers, Indiana. Carol was born on March 15, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to Robert and Edith Anthony. Edith predeceased Carol in 1988 and her father predeceased her in 1995. Carol is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Gary, along with sons David (Julie and Alex), Steven (Laura, Elise, Grace and Leif), Mike (Ashley, Kate, and Michael), her brother, David (Judy) Anthony of Ashtabula, Ohio and sister Susan Weaver of Columbiana, Ohio as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Carol attended high school in Ashtabula, Ohio, where she enjoyed music and sang in a quartet. Her father moved the family to Columbus, Indiana in 1963 after accepting a position as corporate controller with Reliance Electric.

Carol attended Wittenberg University, Ball State University, and finished her college education at Indiana University with a degree in elementary education. She began teaching the fifth grade at McDowell Elementary.

Carol met the love of her life on a blind date in July of 1965. Eight months later, she married Gary Nelson, a Masters educated engineering student from Fargo, North Dakota, who just five days prior to the blind date moved to Columbus to work for Cummins.

Carol’s one year stint in teaching quickly transitioned her to professional mothering, her one true calling. She bore three children, starting with David, then Steven and ending with Michael. If you knew Carol, you knew that her three sons and husband were her pride and joy. Whether she was sharing news about academics, athletics or careers, Carol passionately spoke of her children and her husband’s enduring support. In later years, her grandchildren, whom she loved and adored fiercely, provided a renewed sense of life and joy.

Carol was a servant of the Lord and supported many professional, as well as personal, ministries. She was active at First United Methodist Church during her years in Columbus. She was involved in Clothe a Child ministry, Bible Study Fellowship, teaching Sunday school, Smorgasbord, and many other church activities. She volunteered at various points in each of the boys’ education, from Little Seeds pre-kindergarten to elementary, junior high and high school experiences. She was famous for bringing her “wookie cookies” to share with the boys’ classmates on their birthdays. She generously shared her warm hugs with her children’s friends, her friends, and new acquaintances.

After moving to Indianapolis, Carol joined College Park Church, where she remained active in her Women’s Bible Study and numerous missionary projects/ministries, offering help wherever it was needed.

Carol was full of life and shared her joy with all around her. She always had a big smile, warm hugs, and a stash of chocolate, which she would always share. She loved playing Scrabble, generously shopping with a purpose for others, baking her delicious treats, and supporting others in loving, thoughtful prayer. Her card ministry was well-known and widely impactful.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12:00 on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at College Park Church, located at 2606 W 96th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268. Visitation at the church will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hamilton County Pregnancy Center, a pro-life resource center located at 305 Sheridan Road, Noblesville, IN 46060.