Carole Lee Rader

Carole was born to the late William and Josephine Rush on January 22, 1948. Everyone who knew Carole was touched and influenced by her positive, patient, caring nature and her love of family. She was proud of her work as an educator and media specialist in Kentucky, New York and North Carolina, and her ability to write and earn educational grants that benefited the schools and many children and teachers. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sharing her love of reading with her children, grandchildren, and the children she taught. She loved all the places that she lived over the years and enjoyed making each place feel like a welcoming home. She was often perusing decorating magazines and touring homes for inspiration - and then enjoyed making Bill rearrange the furniture. It was hard for her to pass an outlet mall without stopping as she was an avid bargain hunter. After a successful shopping trip, she often joked with Bill about how much money she saved him. She had a green thumb and was skillful at growing all kinds of plants. She loved gardening and watching all the birds, bees and butterflies that would frequent her gardens. The years that she and her family spent in Kentucky left an enduring mark in multiple ways - she loved celebrating the Kentucky Derby each year and she had a passion for watching her Kentucky Wildcat Basketball team whom she continued to follow and cheer for every season. She also enjoyed traveling and especially loved annual trips to Broadway with her girls and a family cruise vacation with all her grandchildren. Carole and Bill took each grandchild for their own special trip to Disneyworld, and Carole also loved taking her grandchildren to the North Carolina Zoo.

She met William "Bill" Rader in 1963 when she was fifteen. They began dating a year later and quickly became inseparable. Soon after they were married (June 24, 1967), they had their 3 children all of whom they absolutely adored. While the children were young, annual trips to Canada with extended family was a highlight each year. Eventually, they built their dream home in Apex, North Carolina which became the hub for their family with all their children living nearby. Carole made a point to celebrate all birthdays, holidays, and other family events with lots of laughter, board games, food and love. Carole and Bill spent many months each year in Stuart, Florida where they enjoyed sunsets from their condo, walking on the beach collecting sea glass, and spending time with friends at Circle Bay Yacht Club.

In addition to her parents, Carole is preceded in death by her sister Joan.

Carole is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, William "Bill" Rader Jr. along with her children Linda Noble, Dawn Steele (Scott), Bill Rader, III (Stacey); grandchildren Calvin Noble, Cameron Noble, Brietta Noble, Carson Steele, Logan Steele, Abby Rader and Ben Rader; her brother Bill (Lindsey) and a number of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A private memorial service will be held for the family.

The family requests no flowers. If you would like to honor Carole's memory, consider donating in her memory to the charities below:

In honor of Carole’s courageous battle with cancer along with her love of children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In honor of Carole’s many years as a teacher, librarian, and media specialist, The Public School Foundation has agreed to work with the family to use all donations in Carole’s name toward library projects or projects providing books to children. Please add Carole's name to the comments section when donating.

For links to donate, please see below.