Carol Jean Willingham

December 11, 1941 - December 12, 2022

Quinn Chapel AME Church

10998 Southland Blvd

Forest Park, OH 45240

Friday 12/23, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Quinn Chapel AME Church

10998 Southland Blvd

Forest Park, OH 45240

Friday 12/23, 3:00 pm

Oak Hill Cemetery

11200 Princeton Pike

Springdale, OH 45246

Thursday 12/29, 10:00 am

Carol Jean (Walker) Willingham, daughter of Carstell Artensa and Priscilla Bell (Stinson) Walker, transitioned peacefully on December 12, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded and embraced by family. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 11, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Carol grew up the fourth of five children in the East End and graduated from Withrow High School in 1960. She was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church until she converted to Catholicism when she married Oscar Willingham in 1964. She bore six children from this union.

After graduating from Withrow, Carol went to nursing school to become a certified practical nurse and thereafter, worked at Drake Hospital. She retired from American Airlines after 25+ years of service. After retiring from American Airlines she worked part-time for the family business.

Carol loved music, in particular, Ray Charles and the Temptations. She also had a love of animals, vegetable gardening, cooking and spending time with family. Carol had a witty sense of humor and could always make a joke that gets everybody laughing. Along with her love of music, came her love of dance. Later in age, she even attended African dance classes with her daughters. She passed her sense of humor, love of music, dance and love of cooking down to her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her sisters, Rose Marie (Walker) Thomas and Nancy Ann (Walker) Caldwell; her brother, Richard Alan; sister-in-law, Norma Walker; brothers-in-law, Forney Mac Caldwell and Gordon Thomas; and great-granddaughter, Manyara.

She is survived by her: husband, Oscar; brothers, Carstell Walker and Carl Reid, daughter, Nayila Cynthia (Willingham) Richardson, son-in-law, Tyrone Richardson; son, Blake Willingham; son, Yahaya Willingham and daughter-in-law, Michele; daughter, Layla Willingham (David Smith); daughter, Tiyanna Willingham (James Latrail Smith); and son, Enye Willingham (Nicole Louis); grandchildren, Ibn, Tawheedah, Lubnaa, Haleigh, Hannah, Kali, Kasinda, Kallea, Ahkanni, Micah and Ezekiel; great-grandchildren, Jontell, Kamea and Zahera.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are sent to USAgainstAlzheimers. https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/networks/african-americans

Quinn Chapel AME Church

10998 Southland Blvd

Forest Park, OH 45240

Map

Friday 12/23, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Quinn Chapel AME Church

10998 Southland Blvd

Forest Park, OH 45240

Map

Friday 12/23, 3:00 pm

Oak Hill Cemetery

11200 Princeton Pike

Springdale, OH 45246

Map

Thursday 12/29, 10:00 am

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With much love, Erin & Jenny

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Carol Willingham . Plant a Tree

I offer my heartfelt condolences to Carol's children. They are who she invested in and her dedication paid off tremendously. Carol was beautiful, smart, worked hard, set goals & accomplished them. She was witty, loved music and could SANG! She gifted her children with the love of music, the ability to commit as they play an array of instruments, however are accomplished in their their chosen endeavors & successful professions but have retained an uncanny ability to express themselves through rhythms, tones, notes and dance. So natural and a reflection of their naturally beautiful Mother. I thank you for your contribution to my life, since I was 5-years old. Rest Carol! Love. Vickie

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss... Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Carol Willingham . Plant a Tree

We are keeping you lifted up in prayer in this time of loss. We love you now and forever. EW, Tanea, Melanie, Mama-Papa Womack Sr ~ The Womack Family

Inspiring Sunset was purchased for the family of Carol Willingham by The Womack Family. Send Flowers

With Deepest Sympathy to Michele Willingham and family.

Peace Lily was purchased for the family of Carol Willingham by Cielita Wingfield and Hillman Group Family.. Send Flowers

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I did not know Mrs. Willingham personally, but from getting to know one of her daughters and grandsons in the last few months, I am sure that she must have been a very special soul. May she continue to progress eternally in all the worlds of God! “O Lord, O Thou Whose mercy hath encompassed all, Whose forgiveness is transcendent, Whose bounty is sublime, Whose pardon and generosity are all-embracing, and the lights of Whose forgiveness are diffused throughout the world! O Lord of Glory! I entreat Thee, fervently and tearfully, to cast upon Thy handmaiden who hath ascended unto Thee the glances of the eye of Thy mercy. Robe her in the mantle of Thy grace, bright with the ornaments of the celestial Paradise, and, sheltering her beneath the tree of Thy oneness, illumine her face with the lights of Thy mercy and compassion. Bestow upon Thy heavenly handmaiden, O God, the holy fragrances born of the spirit of Thy forgiveness. Cause her to dwell in a blissful abode, heal her griefs with the balm of Thy reunion, and, in accordance with Thy will, grant her admission to Thy holy Paradise. Let the angels of Thy loving-kindness descend successively upon her, and shelter her beneath Thy blessed Tree. Thou art, verily, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous, the All-Bountiful.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá A Baha’i prayer for the departed

Condolences, Love, Prayers and Hugs to the Willingham and Walker Families. Love and Hugs..Fredia Mann

Layla and family, please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss... May happy memories of your mother bring you comfort.

Tropical Dish Garden with Fresh Flowers was purchased for the family of Carol Willingham by Peggy Herring. Send Flowers

My sincere condolences to the Willingham family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

I am so sorry for your family’s loss? Carol Jean meant so much to me!! My mother spoke often of summers at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and also Uncle Dan and Aunt Dorotha’s with Carol Jean, Rosemary, Nancy (and other cousins) when they were girls growing up. They were my mother’s favorite cousins!!❤️ From a little girl up through my college years, every Thanksgiving and Easter we were traveling to spend the holidays with our Cincinnati family!!?? I loved traveling to Cincinnati, it was so much fun!! And growing up with you all!! I couldn’t wait to talk with Carol Jean and hear her laugh!!… She had a wonderful sense of humor and one of the greatest laughs to me, it was infectious!!? Some of the the best childhood memories ever were of the Cincinnati crew!!!?? I never knew that someday it would end.? I love you guys and my continuous prayers are with the family for your comfort and strength!!!??❤️

My most heartfelt condolences to the entire Willingham family - my bonus family. One thing I remember most about Mrs. Willingham...when Cindy & I were teenagers and I got my first car, I would come to pick Cindy up and talk with Mrs. Willingham. She would always ask what fun thing we were about to do. When I'd tell her, she'd always say..."Hmmm....ok..." with that "look" that only a suspicious mother could give! We weren't fooling her! But she let us go and explore life with no objections. She knew... I'll never forget her sweet smile. Rest in Perfection, Mom. Your spirit will forever be honored.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.