OWENSBORO, Ky. — Carol Hillis Bitters passed away Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, peacefully at Wellington Parc under Hospice Care at the age of 87 surrounded by family.
The Flemingsburg, Kentucky native was born May 10, 1936, to the late D.S. and Alma Harding Hillis. She moved to Owensboro after meeting the love of her life, Clarence Bitters, at Morehead College from where she graduated with a degree in education.
Carol began her teaching career at Thruston Elementary with a brief stint at Daviess Co. Middle, eventually retiring from Ohio County Middle School.
A long-time and active member of Yellow Creek Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Some of her fellow members were also her lifelong friends, Evelyn Newman, Carl Hawes, and Donna Arnold, among others.
Carol enjoyed her Bunco crew for so many years, having outlived the majority of those cherished friends along with old friends from Texas Gas days where Clarence was employed for many years. She was a fierce UK basketball fan and whatever sport her kids or grandkids were participating in, rarely missing one of their games and other events.
In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her husband of 21 years, Clarence Bitters, and her in-laws, Helen Bitters Carter and Glenn Carter.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Michael Bitters, of Louisville, Kentucky, Suzanne Fern and husband, Jay, of New Palestine, Indiana, and Daniel Bitters and wife, Debbie, of Owensboro; six grandchildren, Mackenzie Stilger Wiggins (Michael), Matthew Fern (Rachael), Joshua Fern (Kristen), Ryan Bitters (Ashley), Zachary Bitters, and Blake Bitters; five great-grandchildren, Charlotte Fern, Porter Fern, Emersyn Fern, James Fern, and Cole Michael Wiggins; a younger brother, Bill Hillis, of Flemingsburg.
Carol could confess what 3 John 1:4 declares, she had “no greater joy than to know my children (and grandchildren) are walking in the truth.”
A Celebration of Life is being planned for a future time. Care is provided by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Yellow Creek Baptist Church, 5741 KY 144, Owensboro, KY 42303.
Condolences and memories for Carol’s family may be left at www.glenncares.com.