Carole Ann Railsback Chamberlain, passed away in her home Wednesday, August 16, 2017, in Richmond, Indiana, with Chris, her son and caretaker, by her side.
Born October 26, 1940, Carole was the youngest of eight children of Vernon Delos and Marjorie Ann Smith Railsback. She was raised in Fountain City, Indiana, where she helped out on the family farm. She also worked at Wayne Dairy Soda Shop. Carole loved Elvis Presley and his music and enjoyed dancing with her friends on Saturday nights. She graduated from Fountain City High School along with her beloved classmates and now dear friends that still get together for each others’ birthdays.
Carole moved to Richmond, Indiana, to attend and graduate from the School of Cosmetology. She worked briefly in a salon before opening Carole’s Beauty Salon, a business that not only sustained the family throughout, but also provided a strong structure for the family and education to the public and her peers.
While living in Richmond, she met her husband, David, and they were married on June 1, 1963, at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Initially, they lived in a downtown apartment where they began their family with their first child, Jeffrey Michael. David and Carole then moved into their house on Chester Boulevard, where they continued the family by adding Dana, Chris, and Vernon. Carole moved her salon to the building on their property so that she would be close to her children.
Carole and David felt deeply for their marriage and family, being Den Leaders for the Scouts, making birthdays and other parties special, and bravely caring for their oldest son, Jeff, during his long term illness. She also served the community by volunteering on various school boards and as a Spring Grove Township Board Member.
Carole was President of the Richmond affiliate of the Indiana Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association, later becoming the National Cosmetology Association of Indiana, of which she was also State President and served 25 years on the board. While serving as State President, Carole set a legacy of bylaws for continuing education requirements, raising the level of professionalism throughout the state.
Carole was preceded in death by her husband, David Michael; son, Jeffrey Michael; father; mother; sisters; brothers; and many friends.
Carole is survived by her daughter, Dana (Chris) Pierson of Richmond; sons, Christopher (Jeff Hormel) Chamberlain of Hagerstown, Indiana, and Vernon (Tim Bunch) Chamberlain of New York, New York; grandchildren, Travis, Taylor, and Asher; great-grandson, Landon; sisters, Martha and Vivian; nieces; nephews; and many friends.
Visitation for Carole Ann Railsback Chamberlain will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 19, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, Richmond. Burial will be in Elkhorn Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.