Caroline Black (Harriet) Utley

Caroline Black (Harriet) Utley, 86, of Charlotte, North Carolina died peacefully in hospice on March 27, 2026, with her son at her side.

Caroline was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio.  She spent ten years in Gambier, Ohio, where she made lifelong friendships in the shadow of Kenyon College. At the age of 10, she moved to Columbus, Ohio, graduating from Grandview High School in 1957.  She received her undergraduate degree from Carlton College and master’s degrees from The University of Wisconsin and The American University.  Her professional years were spent in Silver Spring, Maryland working for BAE Systems (formerly Vitro).  It was there that she raised her son John with the support and love of family and friends.  Caroline spent her retirement years in the Charlotte, North Carolina area close to her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.  She cherished her time with new found friends at the Four Seasons at Gold Hill in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Caroline loved to travel.  She started as a teenager in Italy, and later made her way through Germany, England, Norway and Japan where she visited the family’s dear friends, the Takefuta family. Caroline drove cross country several times, taking part in every possible family event and spending lengths of time at the family farm in Indiana.  In later years, she enjoyed cruises and Roads Scholar seminars throughout the Eastern United States.  She enjoyed and appreciated all genres of music.  Her devotion to family expressed itself in her love of genealogy.

Caroline never lost a friend.  Once you were her friend, you were her friend for life.  Caroline was an amazing writer of letters and postcards.  Recipients attest that her wit and intellect sparkled through her handwritten missives.  They remember Caroline as kind, accepting, and happiest when surrounded by those she loved, good food, and a Diet Coke.  She was of unfailing good humor until the end.

Caroline is survived by her son, John Utley; daughter-in-law, Julia (Barstow) Utley; granddaughter, Jillian Utley; and grand-dog, Dutton.  She is also survived by her brother Richard Black and his wife Donna Arganbright, sisters Constance Nagle and Charlotte Black, and step-brother and sister Robert and Cheryl Humbarger, as well as seven nieces and nephews.  Each dearly misses her.  She is predeceased by her mother Helen (Harrington, Black) Humbarger, father John Black, and step-father Lloyd Humbarger, brother-in-law Dennis Nagle, and step-sister Judith Norman.  In her later years, Caroline received care from Odette Green whose kindness, friendship, and love enriched and prolonged her life.

Caroline’s life will be celebrated the week of July 4 in Veedersburg, Indiana where her ashes will be interred with her parents in the Osborn Prairie Cemetery.

Author’s note: Caroline was an English major and consummate editor.  She would no doubt have had “suggestions” for this effort.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Caroline’s preferred charity:

Adrian College

Office of Alumni & Development

Mr. James Mahony

110 South Madison Street

Adrian, Michigan 49221-2575

FBO: The Lloyd & Helen Humbarger Scholarship