Carol Ann Whitehead

In her first ever example of leaving a party early, Carol Ann Whitehead left this earth on Monday, July 10, 2023 surrounded by family at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. An Evansville, Indiana West Side Native, she relocated to North Carolina to live with family in 2021 where she spent restful days reading, grandmothering, and relishing in the mountain air. A beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Carol was a pillar of her family and community for all of her days. Born to Paul and Pat Herrenbruck on December 16, 1954, she joined sisters Nancy and Paula in a family characterized by love, kindness, and community. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with family gatherings in the summer sun, tap dancing classes with her sisters, and homegrown simple pleasures. She was a graduate of Francis Joseph Reitz High School where she was active in marching band and clubs at school and church. Her unwavering creativity was sparked at an early age and continued throughout her life through a constant rotation of craft projects, homemade gifts, knitting, quilting, sewing, and generally working to make anything and everything a little more special. As a graduate of Lockyear Community College, she would go one to spend her life excelling in her Administrative work at Children’s Hospital of Cincinnati, First United Methodist Church of Princeton, Indiana, Princeton Community High School, and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. She retired from her post at the front desk of West Terrace Elementary in 2016, ready to enjoy her much-deserved retirement and time with family. Carol’s prized role, however, was that of mother. She married Steven Whitehead in 1979, eventually moving to Princeton, Indiana where together they raised three children, Sara, Andrea, and Jared in a home filled with laughter and love. Carol approached motherhood with the passion and commitment to which she approached all things. She was a relentless champion for both her children and the community in which they called home, as evidenced by the devoted circle of friends and found family that embraced her, Steve, and their children to this very day. She was active in every parent committee, volunteered for every field trip, coached soccer with zero experience, sewed costumes for school plays, and cheered from the sidelines of every game. Upon her divorce she returned to Evansville and she and Steve maintained a loving, modified family unit for their children as they left home to pursue college, professions, explore the world, and leave the “nest”. Never deterred by distance, she was always quick to jump on a plane, train, or automobile to connect with her children, support their endeavors, and cook the comforts of their childhood. Carol was grandmother to three beautiful children, Joshua, Perry, and Olivia, who all adored their “Gaga”. Theirs was a pure and perfect love of which every child should be so lucky. Throughout her life, Carol thrived in the presence of children, and could always be counted on for a silly song, imaginative play, or a gentle embrace. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Herman Paul Herrenbruck and Maude Laverne “Pat” Carnahan Herrenbruck. She leaves behind her daughters, Sara Donovan and Andrea Whitehead (Chris Lunn) and grandchildren, Joshua (6) and Perry (5); her son, Jared Whitehead (Ashley) and granddaughter, Olivia (3); sisters, Nancy Schneider (late, David) and Paula Reininga (Alan), as well as nieces and nephews and countless dear friends, former colleagues, partners in crime, and general fans. Carol Whitehead was an irreplaceable force, whose light will continue to provide warmth for her family and loved ones for all of their days. Her life is a reminder to take care of the ones you love, lead with a smile, seek joy, and to put effort into even the smallest moments. Carol’s children have brought her home to Evansville where they will host a service in her honor on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at Alexander Funeral Home Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261. Visitation will take place from 1:00p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a memorial service led by her children to follow at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.