Carolyn June (Blakely) Robertson

Carolyn June Robertson’s life on Earth began on April 24, 1933, in Hackleburg, Alabama, which was the hardest hit state of the Great Depression. Her life in Heaven began August 15, 2022, departing from Indianapolis, Indiana, her home for over 70 of her 89 years.  She was still working for Drs Robert and Rod Robinson, until she took a fall two months prior to her passing, and fully intended to return. She was surrounded by her family and passed easily and unexpectedly, after a short illness. She is predeceased by her husband Leslie Robertson and her infant son Joseph Robertson. She is survived by her daughter Dawn Robertson, granddaughter Madison Hogan, her sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Fred Joyner, her sister-in-law Virginia Blakely, many nieces and nephews,  their children and grandchildren and so many precious friends. 

Carolyn was Carson Blakely’s fourth child and the first of four surviving children Carson had with Millie Blakely. The Blakelys moved near Carson’s hometown, in Jackson, Tennessee while Carolyn was a toddler. She spent her youth, helping at her father’s nursery, her mother’s nursing home or helping her older half-siblings with her nieces and nephews, as well as helping with her younger three siblings. 

In spite of her penchant for inappropriate giggling, talking in class, stealing flowers from the cemetery to sell to her classmates, or various other entrepreneurial misadventures, Carolyn graduated with honors, in 1951. Carolyn’s giggling, talkative, entrepreneurial spirit was a running theme throughout her life. She was always looking for an opportunity, and she often found them. She sold everything from sandwiches to insurance and  jewelry to stocks. 

Shortly after graduation Carolyn moved to Indianapolis with her high school friend. She aspired to be a nurse, but instead took a job at RCA. The young and beautiful southern belle soon met a devastatingly handsome Hoosier, named Leslie Robertson. They were married at the Indianapolis courthouse on July 18, 1953. Eleven years later, they welcomed their only child, Dawn. 

Through a mutual friend Carolyn was introduced to Dr Robert Coughenour. Still having a calling to be in the medical profession, Carolyn gave Dr Coughenour an offer he couldn’t refuse. She promised to work for free, if he would train her to be his nurse. He agreed and immediately put her on the payroll.  Bob and Beulah Coughenour introduced Carolyn to many people, conservative politics and a deep and profound relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. She became an active, lifelong, faithful Christian and her greatest calling took root: she made sharing the love of Jesus her wholehearted priority.

That love took the form of making sure the patients of Dr Coughenour and later, Dr Robinson had excellent medical care, she played a significant role in placing over 40 babies in loving adoptive homes, she opened the door of her home to many people who needed a place to stay or a delicious meal and she was always generous to anyone she found in need, with whatever resources she had. Carolyn was a mother figure to many who needed one. 

Carolyn never stopped learning, growing, making new friends and keeping all the old ones, and she did her very best to show the love of Jesus to everyone she came near. She was as comfortable in the presence of presidents, popes and preachers as she was with prostitutes and paupers. She made everyone feel like her best friend, because when you were in her presence, you were. 

Carolyn’s Celebration of Life will be held on September 3, 2022, at 11:00am at the Suburban Baptist Church, 722 East County Line Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227 with a 10:00am visitation up until the service. 

Arrangements handled by Bell Mortuary & Crematory, Royster-Askin-Sandrock Chapel, 2310 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN  46222.

Online condolences at www.bellmortuary.com

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