Carolyn Wade (Martin) Kincaid

Carolyn Wade (Martin) Kincaid of Louisville, Kentucky passed away on June 2, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer. Carolyn was the brightest of lights in this world and leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion to her family and friends.

Carolyn was born on August 22, 1948, in Cynthiana, Kentucky to her parents, Joseph Daniel and Norma Vivian (Lyons) Martin. She grew up in Harrison County and loved visiting her grandparents, E. Case and Annie Ammerman Martin, on their farm. An adventurer at heart, Carolyn grew up riding bicycles “no-handed” down giant hills and riding horses bareback with her grandfather. Carolyn loved trick-or-treating on Halloween with her grandmother, Anna Mae (Dennis) Lyons, who would dress up in costumes with Carolyn and sometimes as Santa Claus at Christmas time. Carolyn was always excited to run up the hill in her neighborhood to visit her dear Uncle Virgil and Aunt Ruby Lyons. She was proud of her big brother, Jerry, and loved riding with him on his motorcycle.

Carolyn met the love of her life, Rod Kincaid, in Harrison County, and their love story was truly special. After marrying each other, they moved to Richmond, where they both attended Eastern Kentucky University. They moved to Frankfort, where Carolyn worked at the Kentucky Department of Conservation. When Rod joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, they created loving homes together in Minnesota and Illinois before eventually moving to Somerset and then settling in Louisville after retirement. Carolyn held Rod’s hand tightly through all of life’s adventures for 60 years and they were always each other’s rock, heart, and soul.

Carolyn was a loving, wonderful role model for her three children. She taught them the value of education and a strong work ethic. While raising three kids, she worked hard to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/History, a Master of Arts degree in Education, and a Rank 1 in Education from EKU. She worked for the Pulaski County School System both as a teacher in Special Education and as an Administrative Liaison working on behalf of children with special needs. She was passionate about her students and worked tirelessly to help them excel academically.

Carolyn was committed to her faith and public service. She was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and considered the church her family. She volunteered with JCPS Everyone Reads Program at both Dunn Elementary and Stopher Elementary. She was a strong advocate for Special Olympics and a supporter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, Louisville Chapter.

Carolyn’s many passions included traveling with Rod, and they traveled all over the globe. With Rod by her side, she kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, trekked throughout Hawaii and Scotland, went whale-watching in Alaska, and journeyed through England, Spain, and Gibraltar. They spoiled grandkids in Mexico and Jamaica. In 2025, they celebrated their love for one another in Paris, La Ville Lumiere, with their daughter and son-in-law.

Carolyn was a very positive, caring, loving and kind person. She had a smile and hug for everyone she met. She made everyone feel special. Carolyn lived life to the fullest. She will be sorely missed by her dear husband, family, and friends.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her loving parents, brother, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.

In addition to Rod, whom she deeply cherished, Carolyn is survived by her loving children, Wil Kincaid (Shannon), Jennifer Kincaid Adams (Les), and Richard Kincaid, and her precious grandchildren, Alexander Kincaid (Kate), Zoe Kincaid Adams, Aaron Kincaid (Kaedynn), Andrew Adams, Emily Kincaid, Ben Kincaid, and Kayla Lennon (Charlie). Carolyn is also survived by loving nephews and cousins, her brother-in-law, Pete Kincaid, and her beloved toy poodle, Patches.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2026, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2000 Douglass Blvd, Louisville, Kentucky, followed immediately by a service celebrating Carolyn’s life. Burial will be held at Cave Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics or St. Paul United Methodist Church.

In Carolyn’s honor, the family asks that you please extend a warm smile and hug today both in gratitude and love to the people in your orbit. That’s what Carolyn did every day.