Reverend Carole Lee Green

Reverend Carole Lee (Henderson) Green, age 84, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, after an 8-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion and her unwavering faith in God. Up until the end, Carole maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, and love and appreciation of music. Susan and the rest of Carole’s family would like to honor the extraordinary woman she was throughout her life, not defined by her final chapter. We ask that you remember her not for the way her life ended, but for the way it was lived and for the profound impact she had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Carole was born July 5, 1941, in Houston, Texas, daughter of the late Reyonds J. and Ola Isabelle (Connor) Henderson. The family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri in 1948, where Carole lived until attending DePauw University in 1959. Carole married Terry Green in 1961, and they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Carole received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from St. Francis University. She spent the first year of her career as an elementary school teacher, then moved to the Mental Health Association, where she continued to work with children at various elementary schools.

Carole became a member of Plymouth Congregational Church in 1961. She served in various roles on committees and boards and was elected the first female moderator of the church congregation. She nurtured her lifelong passion for music by sharing her beautiful voice in the church choir.

Later in life, Carole fulfilled her true calling by attending Earlham School of Religion, earning her Master’s of Divinity. She served as a minister at various churches before becoming the executive director for the Cedars Hope in Fort Wayne, IN. Carole later served as a chaplain for Parkview Hospital for 21 years. Before retiring in 2020, Carole was the Associate of Pastoral Care at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Carole is survived by her daughter, Susan E. Green of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Clare's children, Claire (Bryan) Sims of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Ervin (Casey) Walter of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Theo Garcia, Owen Roney, Claire Roney, and Amanda Walter; sisters, Judy Pitts of Lawrence, Kansas, and Pat McCombs of Hamilton, Indiana; brother-in-law, Jim Case of Hannahan, South Carolina; and 20 nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husband, Terrence C. Green; son, Thomas R. Green; partner, Rev. Dr. Clare M Walter; sister, Bette Case; and brothers-in-laws, Tom Pitts and Jack McCombs.

A celebration service of Carole's life will be on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am at Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 501 West Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802, with gathering and visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be held Friday, October 17, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, 6424 Winchester Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46819. Contributions in Carole's memory may be made to Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ or Transitions Hospice. Please visit www.klaehnfahlmeltonfunerals.com to leave condolences.