Caroline Jeanne Hendrickson, 80, of Paducah, went to be with the Lord on September 16, 2026. She was born February 1, 1946 in Des Moines, Iowa to Edward and Dorothy (Loring) Simms who brought her home to the family farm in Beaman, Iowa. In 1976, she embraced Miriam Spaulding as her stepmother along with her new stepfamily including Linda (Larry) Wilcoxson, Edwin Smith, and Sue (the late Wayman) Starnes.
She enjoyed 4-H, church, and school activities that involved music and dance. She was blessed with a talent for singing, and shared it on many public and private occasions throughout her life. She especially enjoyed singing “The Sound of Music”, but all musicals were near and dear to her heart. Equally special to her were the moments she shared with her two daughters, Deborah (Richard) Bills and Jennifer (Svein Børge) Hjorthaug. Her educational trail took her many places before ending with her graduation from the University of Northern Iowa, with a B.A. (emphasis in social work). After enthusiastically volunteering in an anonymous twelve step recovery program, she returned for more training as a drug and alcohol counselor.
She met the love of her life, Emery James (Jim) Hendrickson while studying and living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They moved to Georgia, and enjoyed almost 30 years in the Atlanta area. They greatly enjoyed entertaining, RV camping, and SCCA events, as well as activities at Stockbridge United Methodist Church. After retirement, they chose a home in Clarksville, Tennessee to be closer to family. They worshipped at St. Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
Caroline enjoyed world travel, especially visiting family in Norway, which included her dear grandson Nikolas. She was also a welcome sight on multiple cruises and timeshare vacations, where she spent fun time with her sweet granddaughter Karla and other friends and family. She and Jim also loved taking care of their many rescue pets, mostly cats. They both inherited the travel bug, and between them covered the country coast to coast and top to bottom. “Fuzz's” legendary solo trips were often accompanied by Christian and self-help media.
Dr. David Jeremiah and Charles Stanley were among those important for her spiritual growth, and they continued to be strength when she moved to Paducah, Kentucky after Jim's passing in 2024. She established a new home that was tailored for her physical challenges, and she knew comfort and peace. Her great-grandchildren helped return music to her life, James, Kareen, Jarrick, Jasper, Jagur, Jarvis, & Kacille Puschaver enjoyed watching movies, TV, and performing many concerts for her. They all enjoyed the large family dinners shared with dear friends.
Caroline is survived by her beloved brothers, Tom (Sandra) Simms and Louis Simms. She is also survived by her kind sister-in-law, Carol Simms, widow of her dearly departed brother, Jed. They all reside near the ancestral home.
Through all of her earthly challenges, she relied on the Holy Spirit to know her heart and send love to and from her Heavenly Father. Caroline lived in the promise of restoration of her mobility and voice by God, through her Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Towards the end of her spiritual journey, she added the new saint name of Alphonsa when accepting sacraments with Fr. Basilio.
The family would like to express their gratitude for those who medically supported her from the Steindler Clinic in Iowa City, IA, during her pediatric beginnings, all the way through her peaceful VSED exit.
Caroline would like to dedicate her birthstone, amethyst, as a symbol of her life to all of her dear family and friends. When you see one, please remember that “With God, all things are possible.”
A private family service will be conducted by Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah. A December memorial will be held at Abels Funeral and Cremation Service (Engelkes Chapel), 509 4th St, Grundy Center, IA 50638, and later, an inurnment with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
The family has asked that all expressions of sympathy be directed to Clubfoot Solutions www.clubfootsolutions.org in her name. Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
