Carolyn Lea Cobbs

Carolyn Lea Cobbs, 82, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on December 31, 2024, with family by her side.

She was born April 30th, 1942, in Yorktown, Indiana to her parents Ray and Ethel Klepfer. Carolyn developed her love for animals on her childhood farm, where she and her sisters were raised, and it continued to flourish at the farm she and her first husband owned outside Seymour, Indiana.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, and nearly completed her master’s degree in social work. She worked for Delaware County CPS, until she moved to Indianapolis where she worked for the State of Indiana for many years.

In 1969, Carolyn met her forever love, husband Will Caudill. Their love and adventures spanned nearly 55 years.

Carolyn eventually retired from Pike township transportation, where she spent countless hours ensuring the safe transportation of the district’s students. In addition to social work, Carolyn’s lifelong joy included animal rescue and an unsurpassed dedication to the welfare of animals great and small. Over the years, at any given time, Carolyn and Will might be found nursing back to health an owl, possum, or an abandoned dog, or cat. They provided a fur-ever home for countless animals in need.

Carolyn was a lifelong student of spiritual growth, and in 2006, while studying under Louise Dunn became an ordained minister. Shortly thereafter, Carolyn returned to Christian Science, the religion in which she was raised, and fully dedicated herself to her many responsibilities at the Fifth Church of Christ Science.

Carolyn loved the outdoors, was an avid reader, and loved to bake. She and her signature cakes will be missed by all her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Margaret Wiegand (Jack), Joann Austin (Robert), and her niece Elizabeth MacKenzie (Mark). 

Carolyn will be deeply missed by her devoted husband Will Caudill, nieces Susan Metzger, Kim Whitman (John), Julia Metzger (Kenny), Arden Wiegand (Marilyn), April Austin (Richard), nephews, Erich Wiegand (Julie), Kurt Wiegand (Mark), Aaron Wiegand, Andrew Austin and several great nieces and nephews.

If you are so inclined, memorial contributions may be made to either WFYI public radio or PETA, both of which she was a longtime supporter. A celebration of life will be held in the Spring with details pending.