Carolyn Hisel

1942 - 2017

HISEL Carolyn Young saw beneath the surface of our world to the richer colors that gave poetry to the ordinary. This was her gift as an artist, as a wife and mother, as a friend. On Tuesday, May 23, 2017, her eyes closed to reveal the brilliant light of her heavenly home. She was 75. Born in Lexington on April 21, 1942, to the late Julian A. Young and Goldie Bell Young (later Dicken), Carolyn graduated from Henry Clay High School and the University of Kentucky (BA 1964). She met and married her "best friend" Alan in 1963. They moved to England for two years, where she taught art in London's primary school system. Thereafter they lived in Malta for six months. They returned permanently to Lexington in 1966 where she launched her dual career as artist and mother. Within two years she was nurturing two sons and juggling work as a commercial illustrator and fine artist. Carolyn's verdant Kentucky home lent her a lush palette from which to paint and paint she did. A noted Kentucky artist, she painted hundreds of canvases over the course of her life. In Carolyn's eyes, all was mystery and miracle. Her luminous paintings explored our human quest to understand God in all of His wonder and beauty. She poured her soul into her art, and many people have been touched by the sincere faith, joy, and heartfelt searching that her paintings express. Carolyn's deep religious convictions and attentive intuition lent a signature depth and light to her work and her way of living. For those who knew her, this depth was ever present, something to aspire to and admire. Carolyn was a dedicated Christian who served her Lord as a mother and sister to many. A faithful member of the Lexington Primitive Baptist Church, she was loved by many P.B.'s across the country. Her humility made her an easy conversationalist. Her devotion made her an enduring friend. Her unbounded empathy was nearly a fault: everyone's pain was Carolyn's pain. She loved without hesitation. Survivors include her devoted husband of 54 years, Alan; sons Daniel (Jennifer) Hisel, Lexington, Massachusetts, and Matthew Hisel, Portland, Oregon; and two grandchildren, Lottie Bell Hisel and Wilder Matthew Lohman. Less than 11 weeks earlier she was preceded in death by her beloved kid sister, Pat Nickell. Carolyn will forever be remembered for her boundless love, passionate curiosity, deep faith, and joyful, radiant, caring spirit. God shined through her, and touched many. Visitation will be held beginning at 12pm on Saturday May 27th, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 463 E. Main Street, Lexington, KY, with a memorial service to follow at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Lexington Primitive Baptist Church, or the charity of your choice.