On November 20, 2025, Carolyn Kirkman, age 79, passed away at her Muncie, Indiana, residence surrounded by her loving family.  Carolyn was born in Smithville, Tennessee, on January 15, 1946, the daughter of Hubert and Ruby Jewel (Hayes) Billings.

At an early age, she moved to Ohio with her family and ultimately settled in Muncie.  She graduated from Muncie Southside High School in 1964, which was the first graduating class of the newly formed school.  Following graduation, she worked at various places, ultimately landing at Ball State University, where she started in housekeeping and retired as a PBX phone operator.

Carolyn was a kind soul and a safe place for her family, especially her grandchildren.  She was known for her spaghetti, chili, peanut butter fudge, cheesy potatoes, and her deviled eggs.  She was an avid reader of non-fiction and romance novels.  She enjoyed traveling, bird-watching, and was known for her sweet tooth.  Her home was “where the candy was!” 

Carolyn is survived by her children, Dondi Wray (Dave), and Michael Wray, her grandchildren, Jared (Samantha), Haleigh, Jonathan, Matthew, Brooke, Derek, Alexis, and great-grandchildren, Nolan, Paisley, Emma, Camden, and Lucas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Ruby Billings, her husband of 33 years, Richard Kirkman, and her two brothers, Don and Dwight,  and her special fur friend, Bob the cat.

Visitation will be on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Parson Mortuary, 801 W. Adams Street, Muncie.  Following the visitation, there will be a funeral procession to Elm Ridge Memorial Park, Muncie, for her burial.