Carolyn W. Jeffries

Carolyn Whitcomb Jeffries passed away December 15, 2021. Born April 19, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to David and Dorothy Whitcomb; she was their only child. She was graduated from Clinton High School, Indiana State University with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Carolyn was married for 60 years to her loving husband, Dr. Quentin Ray Jeffries, who passed away in 2011.

Carolyn taught in Vigo County Schools, at Sugar Grove Elementary School, for 17 years. Many of her students still write, call, and visit their favorite teacher. She loved teaching children and creating an atmosphere of learning and striving for success. Her students still speak of the annual class parties held at her Allendale home.

Carolyn enjoyed history and traveled throughout the United States and the world with her family, reliving the Revolutionary and Civil War. She was a student of the Bible as well, touring many sites in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries that highlighted her Biblical studies. She was an accomplished pianist, minoring in music during her years at Indiana State University. She won the heart of her husband when he requested, and she immediately was able to sit at the piano and play, “Malagueña.”

Carolyn has been a member of the Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, describing attendance there as feeling as though she were “coming home.”

She was a member of Job’s Daughters Bethel #5, serving in many offices including Honored Queen in 1948.

She was a life member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority, serving as President of the Student Advisory Board, a life member of the order of Eastern Star, initiated in 1948, a life member of Badoura Temple #23 Daughters of the Nile, serving in various offices, including Queen and receiving several Supreme appointments. She also served both the Nathaniel Foote Chapter in Terre Haute and the Indiana State Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century as President. Later, she served as Parliamentary General for the National Society of Colonial Dames.

She was a Life member and President of the Huguenot Society of Indiana, Regent of Wabash Valley Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists,  and a member of of the Daughters of the American Revolution since 1951.

Other life memberships include the Service League of Union Hospital and the Swope Art Gallery Alliance, Vigo County Historical Society, and Indiana State Retired Teachers’ Association Her interest in the arts, farming, music, and teaching began early in life; the latter was a family tradition.

Carolyn was predeceased by her parents and husband. She is survived by her daughters Sylvia Jeffries of Austin, TX and Dorothy Andazola of Houston, TX; granddaughter Felicia Schierberg of Austin, TX and grandson Adam Andazola of Houston, TX; and several cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., Maple Avenue Methodist Church of Terre Haute, or Clinton First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 186, Clinton, Indiana 47842 .

A Memorial Service will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street.  Visitation is scheduled prior to services from 12:00 Noon-2:00 PM.