Carolyn Minnie Crist

Carolyn Minnie Crist was born on June 8, 1941 in a farmhouse in Posey County, Indiana and died at the age of 80 on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Evelyn’s House hospice in Creve Coeur, Missouri, after complications from cardiac arrest.

Carolyn spent her life always trying to help others. She was an elementary school teacher for decades in the St. Charles School District. She taught the kids all of the required subjects but was most proud of the love and emotional guidance she could provide to children as they were growing up. She was a selfless mother to her son, Brian. She did everything within her power to support his love of learning, well-being and ambitions in life, from buying him a children's book on the life of John Marshall that inspired him to pursue a legal career to driving him around to oratory competitions in high school. Carolyn often told her son that her only goal for him was to be happy in life, and she always provided him unconditional love and wise counsel while letting him set his own life path. She adored her daughter-in-law Mallory and had boundless love and affection for both her grandchildren, Amalthea and Galatea. Her whole face would light up with the biggest smile imaginable when she saw her grandchildren and she often commented on how smart and joyful they both were.

Carolyn was married to Donald Crist for just shy of 50 years. They developed a deep bond over so many years of marriage and grew even closer during the past decade when both were retired. They navigated the vicissitudes of life together and found comfort and love in their half-century of marriage.

Carolyn was also often disturbed by injustice in the world and was very vocal in her efforts to correct it. She fought against pollution caused by oil refineries near the town where she lived. She pushed school districts to follow safety protocols for asbestos abatement. She pursued claims to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. Most recently, she advocated for better treatment and care options for the elderly. She had high principles and was unafraid to raise her voice when she saw inequity in the world.

Carolyn is survived by Donald, Brian, Mallory, Amalthea, and Galatea. Carolyn was strong, smart, stubborn, and determined in life. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends! A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 22 at the Shields-Bishop Funeral Home in Greenfield, IL. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at the Witt Cemetery near Rockbridge, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children (savethechildren.org), in keeping with her love of children and lifelong efforts to help children in need.

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