A beloved resident of Connersville, Indiana, Carolyn Maude Steele, has sadly passed away on January 2, 2026. She passed peacefully while asleep at Reid Hospital in Richmond at the age of 90, bringing to a gentle close a life rich in faith, family, and faithful service to her community.
Born on August 25, 1935, in Connersville to Glen Hughes and Christine Tanksley Hughes, she spent her entire life rooted in the familiar landscapes and close connections of Fayette County. Her departure leaves a quiet void in the hearts of those who knew her enduring kindness and steadfast devotion.
From a young age, Carolyn found the love that would define her days, marrying Joseph Wesley Steele on August 30, 1952, at Western Avenue Baptist Church in Connersville. Their union, beginning with vows exchanged in the sanctuary that would become their spiritual home, blossomed into 73 years of partnership marked by mutual respect and shared purpose. Together, they built a life centered on family and faith, navigating decades of joys and challenges with grace that inspired those around them.
Carolyn’s commitment shone brightest through her active role at Western Avenue Baptist Church, where she and Joseph served the Lord for nearly 70 years. She taught Sunday school with patience and insight, sang in the choir with heartfelt joy, and contributed to the Women’s Missionary Union, always eager to support missions near and far. As a leader in Girls Auxiliary, she guided young women from seventh to twelfth grade, helping shape their understanding of service and spirituality in ways that lingered long after.
Her family formed the heart of Carolyn’s world, where she poured endless love into her children June G. Helms (Jim), David G. Steele (Carol), Ray Alan Steele (Joyce), and Don E. Steele (Syndi). In reflecting on her 90 years, Carolyn Maude Steele exemplified a life well lived through quiet dedication to faith, enduring love for her husband and family, and gentle influence on her church community.
Preceded in death by her parents and siblings David G., Richard, Arthur, Howard, Hedgemond, and Joseph Hughes, along with sisters Marion Corn and LaVaughna Kays, she now rests eternally, her example of devotion continuing to guide those she leaves behind. The Connersville area mourns a woman whose warmth and faithfulness touched generations in profound yet understated ways.
Funeral services honoring Carolyn will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Dale Cemetery. As family and friends gather to celebrate her journey, they find comfort in the countless lives enriched by her presence and the promise of reunion in the faith she held so dear. Through shared memories and enduring bonds, Carolyn’s spirit lives on in the community she cherished.