NORTH VERNON
Carolyn Marie (Miller) Doxsee, 70, was a devoted and loving wife, mother and community member.
She lived her life fully and completely for others, and was happiest when surrounded by family and friends.
A true servant of God, she always reached out to those who needed a helping hand.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Jerry Byrd will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. A Rosary service will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Born in Denver, Colorado, July 26, 1947, Carolyn was the oldest child of Julia (Clements) and Henry Miller, and was raised in Indianapolis where she attended high school at Sacred Heart High School (now Roncalli).
In Indianapolis, she met her husband, Ron Doxsee. They were married July 2, 1966.
They had three children, King, Drew and Lisa, and moved to North Vernon in 1976 to raise their family and retire.
Carolyn lived her childhood dream of being an actress as she enjoyed 40 years participating in all aspects of the theatre with the Jennings County Players and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
Her most notable part was as Louise in “Always, Patsy Cline.” She brought that part to life and has entertained thousands as an actress and director throughout the years.
While raising her children, she most enjoyed their teenage years and became involved in youth ministry at St. Mary Church. There, she helped establish the Youth House and was one of the first directors of the Living Way of the Cross which she directed for more than 20 years, sharing the Lord’s Passion through the involvement of middle and high school youth.
Her servant leadership was felt widely across the community. She not only volunteered with the Youth Ministry at St. Mary’s, but served in many capacities there.
Carolyn was most recently known for her work volunteering for St. Vincent DePaul and was an active member of the Pro-Life committee and participated in two pro-life marches in Washington DC.
She was always opening her home and heart to children, beginning early as a foster parent, youth minister, a host parent to a foreign exchange student, provided childcare and became an additional grandparent for the child of a friend.
After she retired, she became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children.
She had a passion for helping others and in 2016 began a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Come to the Table, with a mission to feed the hungry in Jennings County. The organization provides hundreds of meals to those in need in the community.
Her giving nature touched the lives of so many people, many she never even knew. She called every person who came into her life friend.
Carolyn enjoyed gardening and became a Master Gardner and loved to watch plants grow and help them bloom, just as she enjoyed nurturing her three children and watching them grow and prosper and then watching her grandchildren.
She loved traveling and enjoyed every new place she went. Some of her favorite trips were to the beach in the Carolinas and Florida, trips to New York City and several trips to Europe including pilgrimages to Rome and the Holy Land.
In recent years, she took up painting and enjoyed painting flowers, birds and scenery from her travels.
She was a hardworking mother and worked as a childcare giver in her home. She later worked outside the home at Greathouse Hardware, McConnell and Finnerty Law Office and Regal Rugs.
Carolyn passed away peacefully at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana on January 10, 2018, following a short battle with lung cancer complicated by a stroke and additional health concerns.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Julia (Clements) and Henry Miller.
She is survived by her husband Ronald K. Doxsee of North Vernon; and three children, King (Brenda) Doxsee of Indianapolis, Drew (Laura) Doxsee of Brookfield, Wisconsin and Lisa Doxsee of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren, Luke, Alex, Moira and Brooke Doxsee; brother Richard “Rick” (Rosemary) Miller of Colorado and Shirley (Mike) Wheeler of North Carolina.
Memorials can be made to the charity of your choice in her name or to one of her favorite charities: Come to the Table, Inc.; St. Mary’s Church; Society for St. Vincent DePaul; Gibault School; Jennings County Players; or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
Carolyn continues to be present to all she has touched in all the good works and charity living on in her name.
A star burns brighter with her passing to help guide the lost along life’s journey.
Friends and family are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Carolyn’s memory at www.sawyerfuneralservice.com.
