BROWN COUNTY
Carol (Chism) Walker, 90, died Thursday, April 4, 2019. She lived in Brown County from 1963 until her final year.
Carol was born Aug. 21, 1928, in Oak Park, Illinois, daughter of William Chism and Arema Eloise Chism Fowler. She married Edward T. Walker III, Aug. 7, 1946; he preceded her in death in 1993.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Edward T. Walker IV; and her brother, James A. Chism.
Carol is survived by her children, Betsy Cole (Warren) of Nashville, Reid R. Walker (Lourdes) of Arvada, Colo., and Sarah Eads of Nashville; grandchildren, Edward T. Walker V (Beth) of Vancouver, Wash., Kate Chasansky (Matt) of Denver, Colo., Seth Walker of Los Angeles, Calif., Sarah Gonzales (Jesse) of Port Orchard, Wash., Alexandra Walker of Arvada, Colo., Andrew Cole (Rachel) of Nashville, Tenn., Eric Cole (Bess) of Nashville, Sean Cole of Indianapolis, Mitchell Eads (Mindi) of Brookston, Tucker Eads (Cindy) of Chicago, Ill., and Ross Eads of Nashville; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Carol considered herself a maverick. After receiving her first library card at age 6, she decided she was ready for college. In the 1944, she departed high school at age 16 after her sophomore year to attend the University of Chicago under the Hutchins Plan. The Hutchins Plan allowed students to take an exam for early admission to college. Upon marrying, she left college to start a family. In 1963, her husband took a job in Indianapolis and the family moved to Nashville. When her youngest headed off to first grade, Carol returned to college at Indiana University in Bloomington to prepare for a career in education.
Carol earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in elementary education in 1967, a master’s in reading in 1970 and her doctorate from the I.U. School of Administration in 1982, with minors in reading, library science and audiology. She was the first woman admitted to the doctoral program in administration. After three years as a primary teacher for Bartholomew County, Carol served 17 years as a principal for Brown County Schools. Upon completing post-doctoral work, Carol became the fourth woman in the state licensed as a superintendent. She served Brown County Schools as superintendent for eight years.
Carol loved to read aloud to students. She regularly visited classrooms to read to students with her rabbit, “Obadiah.” She inspired children to read.
She was an active member at St. David’s church for 55 years. Other memberships included honorary education fraternities Delta Kappa Gamma and Phi Delta Kappa, Brown County Business and Professional Women (former director, Woman of the Year in 1983), Indiana Association of School Principals (former director), I.U. School Administrators Association, Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), Southeast Indiana Educational Study Council and many, many more.
Upon retirement in 1995, Carol became active as a Guardian ad Litem (a court-appointed special advocate for children), and a hospice volunteer for Columbus Regional Hospital. She served with the Brown County Child Protection Team, Brown County Board of Health, YMCA, Girl Scouts, Brown County Area Plan Commission and the Brown County Community Foundation. She established the Thank-A-Teacher Fund with the BCCF.
Visitation for Carol will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, followed by a service at 2 p.m., both at St. David’s Episcopal Church, state roads 135 North and 45 in Bean Blossom. Refreshments will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in behalf of Carol Walker to the Thank-A-Teacher Fund through the Brown County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 191, Nashville, IN 47448.
