Carol Joan Nourse's Obituary
Carol Joan Nourse, age 89, passed peacefully in her sleep into the loving arms of Jesus Christ, her Savior, on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at her home in Gahanna, Ohio. Born on September 25, 1935, to Ralph and Bess Nourse, Carol grew up in a large family in the small town of Coal Grove, Ohio.
A dedicated educator, Carol earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from The Ohio State University and her Master’s degree from Marshall University. Her 30-year career took her to classrooms in Waverly, OH; Knoxville, TN; Indianapolis, IN; and back to her hometown of Coal Grove, OH. She touched countless young lives as a teacher of 5th and 6th graders, a teacher of gifted students, and also served as an administrator with the Coal Grove Board of Education. Her passion for learning extended beyond teaching—she established libraries in multiple schools, ensuring that generations of students had access to the joy of books and learning.
Carol’s faith and love for people of other cultures took her on numerous mission trips to Germany, Russia, Romania, Africa, Peru, the Philippines, and Thailand. She also had a deep affection for the people of Israel and traveled to the Holy Land. Beyond her mission work, Carol’s travels with friends and family included trips to many states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, and abroad to England, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and The Netherlands.
A former high school cheerleader and avid fan of OSU football, Carol could be found on football Saturdays cheering on her beloved Buckeyes.
Carol was a member of Shepherd Church of the Nazarene and a faithful participant in Prayer and Praise. Her study of end-time prophecy fueled her passion for winning others to the Kingdom of Heaven.
She is now reunited in glory with her parents, Ralph and Bess, beloved brothers, Ralph “Bud”, Gerald “Scoop”, Donald and Raymond, and her dear sisters, Jeraldine, Norma Lou and Marlene “Sue”.
Carol is greatly missed by her daughters, Jennifer (Val) Duvuvuei of Alexandria, Ohio, Joanie (Rick) Shell of Johnstown, Ohio; grandchildren Megan (Jeff) Wietrzykowski, Kristin (Brandon) Puckett, Nathan (Maria) Duvuvuei, Orrin (Erin) Duvuvuei, Fletcher Shell, and Rylee (Brian) Cooper; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is also missed by the friends she made at StoryPoint Senior Living Community in Gahanna.
Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of Carol on Saturday, April 12, at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, 429 S. Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43230. Visitation will begin at 10 am, followed by a memorial service at 11 am, led by Pastor Rob Paugh. In honor of Carol’s wishes, she will be laid to rest in a private ceremony alongside her other family members at Woodland Cemetery in Ironton, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Carol’s memory to the Work and Witness Team Fund of Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, 429 S. Hamilton Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230.
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