Carolyn Peterson

Carolyn Peterson (Miller),77 passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025 at Hospice of Cincinnati Anderson, Ohio.

Born on October 1, 1948 to Zada Gertrude Miller (Faulkner) and Orville Miller of Dayton, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Phillip L. Peterson of 57 years; married September 30,1967 in Dayton, Ohio. She is survived by her children who loved her dearly, Christine (Jeff) Sharpless, Melissa Williams (Craig Bachmann), Angela Sharpless, Carla Peterson and John Peterson. Carolyn was blessed with 11 grandchildren. Carolyn and her husband lovingly raised Carla's three children, Calena Peterson, Brandon Peterson and Stephanie (Christian) Giglio, as their own. She was a wonderful grandma to Rachel, Jessica, Eric and Evan Sharpless (Children of Christine & Jeff), William Alec Williams (Son of Melissa and Doug), Josh (Tabitha) Sharpless, Justin and Kyle Sharpless (Children of Angela & Ray).

She is also survived by her brother Forrest Bush, her sister Phyllis Young, her brother-in-law Paul (JoAnn) Peterson, her niece Tammy Peterson, her niece Leslie Nahigyan and her nephew Dave (Nancy) Nahigyan.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her devoted parents, her sister Marcella Bush, brother Paul Bush Jr., mother-in-law Roxie Creech, father-in-law Francis (Pete) Peterson, sister-in-law Gladys Bush, sister-in-law Phyllis (Bruce) Nahigyan and brother-in-law Robert Young.

Carolyn's life was devoted to serving God, and loving her husband, children and grandchildren. She had the dedicated heart of a caregiver. Carolyn had many friends growing up in Dayton and could be found outside playing on the sidewalk and in the parks nearby or following her older brother Forrest wherever he went. She always said she was his shadow. She also spent much time visiting, and for a time, living with her mother's family in the Appalachian hills of Zoe, Kentucky at the foothills of Red River Gorge. She was proud of her heritage as a Native American of the Chickasaw tribe, through her maternal grandmother Carpenter/Faulkner family. The time spent there was a great influence on her love of nature and the simple gifts. She also spent much time with her father's family in Celina, Ohio. She enjoyed the company of her paternal grandmother Margaret Lohrentz (Raudabaugh) who could trace her family tree back directly to the Mayflower Pilgrim and first Governor of Plymouth Colony, William Bradford. It was this grandmother who contributed to instilling the tough, strong, hard-working determination that was ingrained in Carolyn's personality.

In her early teenage years she began attending the Pilgrim Holiness Church close to her home in Dayton, Ohio. It is there that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. This set her on a path that would lead her to her destiny. She volunteered working with the children in the church which led to her decision after graduating from Pattison Cooperative High School in Dayton to follow her dream to become a teacher by furthering her education at Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, IL. While there she met her one and only true love, Phillip, who was also attending. With funds being tight they enjoyed dates at the park watching the stars and eating crackers with peanut butter or a stale cupcake she found in her dorm. But they didn't mind, they were just happy to be together. After a happy courtship they decided to marry. Phillip liked to joke that he helped her get her MRS degree. Following their marriage, they moved to Phillip's hometown of Newtonsville, Ohio to buy a home, set up housekeeping and start a family. Carolyn quickly landed as a teacher's assistant at the Clermont Northeastern Kindergarten school in

Newtonsville where she found joy working with the children. She also found a church home at Phillip's church and had the honor of working with the children at the Newtonsville Nazarene church for decades. She served as a Sunday school teacher, Junior Church Leader and ran and taught Vacation Bible School for many years. She made many happy memories with her church family and friends. It was very important to Carolyn that her children had a strong church family and upbringing in the teachings of the Gospel. Carolyn continued with the heart of a caregiver when she set out on a path to work in healthcare at Bethesda North Hospital in Montgomery, Ohio where she cared for many patients throughout the 1970's. She spent some years exclusively as a homemaker and enjoyed that work the most. Carolyn was a beautiful mom to her five children. She always allowed everyone to try whatever interest they enjoyed. Carolyn supported and cheered on each of her children in all they did. She volunteered in school activities and was always there for each child in any way they needed her. Eventually, she went back to healthcare at Meadowbrook Nursing Center also in Montgomery, Ohio. She cared dearly for many patients and attended each with a loving heart.

In retirement Carolyn and her husband happily took on the role of raising Carla's three children. They gave many joyful years in their upbringing, providing, nurturing and always being there for each of them.

Carolyn and Phillip were soulmates brought together by God. She was always there for her husband and they worked as a team. Although, she still once and a while would give him the stink eye, but always with good humor and love.Throughout their lives they did everything together; from attending and working in the church, doing yard work, parenting and even sharing grocery shopping. They spent much time enjoying nearby Stonelick Lake, taking walks, bicycling and family picnics. They were always together for 57 years.They enjoyed many family vacations going to beaches, mountains and national parks, all across the country. Additionally, they enjoyed a few getaways by themselves. Her greatest treasure was her role as a wife, mother and grandmother. She was a strong, talented, hard working, determined woman; the "Captain of her Ship" as she liked to joke, a phrase she picked up from her father-in-law "Grandpa Pete".

Everyone enjoyed Carolyn's many talents of crocheting, knitting, sewing, gardening, cooking and baking. She will always be remembered for her beautiful trees, bushes, flowers (especially her roses and lilacs) and her huge vegetable gardens over the years. She enjoyed canning and cooking with the fruits of her labor for family and friends to enjoy. She was an amazing cook and baker. She really enjoyed a sweet chocolate treat from time to time. It's really hard to pick one of her best meals. But she could make a mean batch of fried chicken and melt in your mouth roast beef. Phillip appreciated that talent for sure. The grandchildren will remember her homemade pizzas and brownies. Carolyn enjoyed Hallmark movies, especially those about Christmas. She also enjoyed watching her cowboy shows. She also regularly made time for The Price is Right game show when she took a break in the afternoon and Wheel of Fortune in the evening. She spent many hours listening to gospel bands such as the Bill Gaither Trio, the Happy Goodman Band and many other Gospel groups. Most importantly, many hours were spent reading her bible and praying for her loved ones.

Carolyn was always known for her willingness to work hard and help everyone. Most of all she made sure her family knew God. Her most enduring legacy was the Christian example she set; a road map for her family to follow. With this example, she made sure her family learned to work hard, never give up and always fight for what is right.

She will be missed dearly by all that have known and loved her. Now she is reunited with her Jesus and her love, Phillip, in Heaven without the infirmities of her earthly body. Until we meet again.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" - Matthew 25:40

In celebration of Carolyn's life the family will receive friends and family at Evans Funeral Home 1944 St. Rt 28 Goshen, Ohio 45122 on Monday, December 1, 2025, from 6-8 PM. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Evans Funeral Home. Officiated by Pastor Steven Merritt. Burial following at Plainview Cemetery in Wayne Township, Ohio.