Caroline May Gioe Elrod

Caroline Gioe Elrod died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of December 8.  She was 94 years old.

She was born in Indianapolis on September 12, 1926 to Antonio Gioe and Frances Arri Gioe, the ninth of their eleven children. In 1949, she married Earl Elrod and together they had six children.  He was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1964 and she was left to raise their six children on her own.

A woman of strong faith, she was a life-long member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.  There she served on the Board, taught Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School.  She also attended Bible studies and was involved in their Emmaus ministry for many years.  Caroline was a long-time employee of Eastman Kodak Company where she worked as a secretary until she retired.  Outside of work, she was always involved in other community activities.  These activities included teaching illiterate adults to read at the local library and visiting imprisoned youth to talk about our amazing Jesus.  She opened her home to those who needed a place to stay and wrote letters to the Editor to advocate for what she believed was right.

Caroline was an avid reader and loved to work puzzles, play cards, and board games and always made it very clear that she was out to win – even if she was playing against her grandchildren.

She taught all of her children to love God and to love our country.  Being the child of Italian immigrants, she was so proud to be an American and never hesitated to explain why ours is the greatest country in the world.  She taught us what it was to give much even when you have little and showed us all what real strength and sacrifice looks like.

She was passionate about her family and her love for them shone through everything she did.  She is survived by five of her six children, Nancy Elrod Davis, Tom (Vicki) Elrod, Tony (Jan) Elrod, Jan Elrod (Dan) Broughton, and Barb Elrod (Joe) Agresta and her brother Carley Gioe.  She was preceded in death by her husband Earl and her youngest son Rodney, her granddaughter Rachel, her parents and nine of her siblings.  She leaves behind an incredible legacy of 15 grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren.  We will all miss her very much – until we are united again in Heaven.

Due to COVID, the funeral services will be for immediate family only.   If you would like to join the family in celebrating Caroline’s life, you may join the service by clicking here on Monday, December 14 at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 2015 S Arlington Avenue, Indianapolis, IN  46203.