Mary “Carolyn” Owen Schocke, 90, passed away at Hospice Family Care in Huntsville, Alabama on Monday, March 13, 2023 from complications following surgery after a fall. She was born on March 19, 1932 in Owensboro, Kentucky to the late Archie Davis and Mae Evelyn Owen.
She was married to William “Bill” Clifford Schocke for 67 years and they had four children. They were married on April 3, 1953 by the late Dr. Robert Humphreys. She was a lifelong resident of Owensboro until after the passing of her beloved husband, Bill, in 2020. She then moved to Huntsville, Alabama to be closer to two of her children. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one sibling, Robert “Bob” Davis Owen.
Mrs. Schocke graduated from Owensboro Senior High School in 1950 and then attended Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky for a year before returning to Owensboro. While at Georgetown she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. At the age of 38, while raising four children she returned to college attending Henderson Community College where she obtained her degree in Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Upon graduation she worked for many years at Dr. Neil Padgett’s as his office nurse. She then became the Industrial Nurse at General Electric/MPD before retiring in 1990.
Carolyn was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Owensboro beginning when she started there in the “Cradle Roll” nursery. She was an active member of the Martha-Grace Ladies’ Sunday School class for many years. Carolyn was blessed to be raised in a strong Christian home and came to know and love the Lord at age 12 and was a faithful servant to Christ. She wants all that knew her to know that she loved God with all her heart, and that Jesus was her friend, confidant, protector, comforter, and Savior. After her love for the Lord, the next most important love of her life was her family.
Carolyn was honored to be commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel which is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. She received this title after she performed heroic measures to an employee injured after an explosion had occurred at General Electric.
She was an avid University of Kentucky and Kentucky Wesleyan College basketball fan as well as of the Atlanta Braves. She enjoyed painting, playing Maj Jong and singing. She sang in the FBC Choir for many years.
She is survived by her children, William Davis Schocke (Ginger) of Kokomo, Indiana, Randall Wayne Schocke (Vallory) of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Dr. Barbara Schocke Thomas (Chris) of Huntsville, Alabama and John Clifford Schocke (Stacey) of Huntsville, Alabama; her grandchildren, Amanda Hope and Adam Davis Schocke (Alexandra), Caroline Lee Thomas and Alexander Clifford and Anna Elizabeth Schocke; and one great-grandchild, Liliana Antonia Schocke. She is also survived by her siblings, Nancy Gardner, John Owen and Martha Szabo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be two services for Carolyn; one in Huntsville, Alabama and one in Owensboro, Kentucky.
The service in Huntsville will be held at Huntsville First Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Travis Collins officiating on Saturday, March 25th. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. in the foyer next to the chapel with the service to follow at 11:00 a.m.
Another service will be held in Owensboro, Kentucky on Tuesday, March 28th. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. followed by the service at noon with Mr. Bob Farmer officiating. Entombment will follow at Owensboro Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O Box 3000A, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.
Memories and messages of condolence for the family of Carolyn Schocke may be offered online at www.glenncares.com.
