Carolyn Clay Hicks

Carolyn Clay Hicks (77) born on October 24, 1948, of Lafayette, IN was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on the evening of July 15, 2026.

Born to the late Audrey and Harold Morgan in Lafayette, IN, Carolyn attended Southwestern High School and spent her life within Tippecanoe and Carrol County. Her first marriage to the late Gary D. Crider brought her her two Children, Gary D. Crider II, and Tammy Lynn Townsend, both of Lafayette.

Carol worked at Eli Lilly of Lafayette for over 20 years. It was there she met her husband, Leslie Hicks of Monticello, and they wed on a Las Vegas getaway in October of 1996. During her time at Eli Lilly, Carol became one of the first women to join their fire brigade and rescue squad. After her retirement from Lilly’s, she and her best friend Les would go on to start several entrepreneurial business ventures. Many may remember C&L Pizzeria which was, for a time, a local standout which carried the name sake of the couple. 

Carol and Les loved nature and lived for many years close to a body of water. Floating parties down the Tippecanoe River, boat parades on Lake Freeman and fishing were just a few of their favorite activities to do with each other. They worked hard to create and tend many large, luscious gardens and canned thousands of fruits and vegetables that they shared with family and friends. Carol also had a soft spot for animals of all kinds and cared for hundreds of pets and strays throughout her lifetime. 

Carol was an avid soap opera watcher, often stating that she had to go and watch her “soapies” to keep up with the decades long story lines. She also loved watching the news channel and had a drive for politics. Carol was not one to shy away from a debate about which candidate or party she preferred.

 A lover of sweets, she would often skip heartier meals to get to her favorite part, dessert. Vanilla buttercream white sheet cake was a known staple in her household and the “occasional” Pepperidge Farm coconut cake. She was constantly thumbing through cooking magazines, watching the Food Network and browsing countless internet pages for a new recipe to make and share. 

To have known Carolyn, was to know that she was fiercely loyal. She loved hard, and would do anything to defend those that she cared so deeply about. She was sharp, feisty and could hear a pin drop. Not many things were able to get past her. She was a keeper of family history, with her steel trap mind and inability to forget. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Audrey and Harold Morgan. As well as her brothers, Thomas and John Morgan, sister Connie Cripe, and her son Gary D. Crider II.

 Carolyn is survived by her husband, Leslie Hicks, her daughter Tammy (Marty) Townsend of Lafayette, brothers Lewis (Faye) Morgan of Dayton, and Larry (Natalie) Hawk of West Lebanon, her grandchildren, Gary D. Crider III of Delphi, Marissa (Chas) Townsend-Price of West Point, Brandi J. Crider of Lafayette, Clayton Crider of Avondale, Arizona, Jacob Townsend of Lafayette, and her three step-children, Chad (Annie) Hicks of Wilkinson, Ryan Hicks of Lafayette, and Mark Hicks of Lafayette. She also leaves behind several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her beloved dog Nikki. 

Carolyn was a cherished Wife, Mother, Sister, Cousin, Aunt, Grandmother and friend to many. 

Please keep her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate life without her. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association.