Carol Jean Harbin

Carol Jean Anderson Harbin, who lived a rich life and deeply loved her family and friends, died in peace on May 26, 2018.

She was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1931 to Willard H. Anderson and Mildred S. Anderson, parents to whom she was ever grateful for their love and guidance. In 1940, they moved to the city and state that Carol and her family came to treasure, Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1949, Carol graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and amused her family ever after with tales of how she met her husband-to-be when she enrolled in a class in zoology and went home with optimistic news: “Today, I met the man I’m going to marry.”

Known for her acidic wit and biting humor, Carol was 70-years-old when she was hired by Emmis Broadcasting as corporate receptionist, and recognizing her skill at wordplay, the morning show team of Wank and O’Brien persuaded her to become a regular guest, introducing her as Carol the Immaculate Receptionist. Her popularity grew. She made weekly football picks, basing her predictions on the elegance and coloring of a team’s uniforms, while never deviating from loyalty to her beloved Indianapolis Colts. When Carol retired from Emmis in 2016, at age 85, she left a bit of her heart in the broadcast booth.

Among those who spoke of her adoringly was Joe Staysniak, an offensive lineman for the Colts in the ‘90s and now host of a talk show on Indianapolis radio.

“She was the tiniest thing ever, five feet tall, and when she sat at the receptionist desk in the cavernous room that was three stories high, she looked like Tinker Bell, but as the first line of security for the station, she was a Ninja warrior.

 “On air, she was so smart and so funny that she could handle anything, even turning herself into different characters, like the Old Lady who needed a hearing aid, or the Raunchy Gal who works in the cubicle next to you, or The Wife with expectations on Valentine’s Day until her husband comes home with the gift of a new fence for the dog.”

The 54-year marriage she enjoyed with Don was full of love and laughter. She adored her kids and doted on her grandkids. Her delight in life quickened every May with the approach of the Indy 500 and all it meant to her beloved Indianapolis. The family reveled in the Barbershop Quartet society, travelling to conventions and shows around the country and developing life-long friendships. She also was a founding member of “The Checkmates,” the Indianapolis chapter of the women’s auxiliary of the Barbershop Quartet society.

Preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 54 years, Donald L. Harbin Sr., she leaves her son, Donald L. Harbin Jr., daughter Kimberly Harbin, four grandchildren: John-Michael and Caroline LaDage, Trey and Tanner Harbin, and in-laws Duane and Michelle.  She also leaves her sister Glorina Lewis, brother Andy (Sonny) Anderson, and scores of nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Carol loved the natural environment, always curious about and ever empathetic to all living creatures. Her family often trades memories of her humor, and they marvel that there never seemed to be a moment when there was not music in Carol’s home and in her heart. If it were not barbershop music, then it was Johnny Mathis or The Phantom of the Opera. And if nothing were playing on the radio or the recorder, then Carol would fill the silence by whistling, always with range, vibrato, and happiness. Although saddened by the death of her husband in 2005, she was strengthened in her final years by the devotion of family, friends, and colleagues, and to the delight of everyone who loved her, Carol Jean Anderson Harbin was a woman who found a way to whistle her way through the storms of life, because, as Joe Staysniak said, she epitomized everything that is good in people.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Carol’s life and legacy on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 from 4-8pm at the Community Life Center of Washington Park East Cemetery.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning at 11am in Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Indianapolis, with entombment in Washington Park East Cemetery immediately following.  Arrangements entrusted to Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Indiana War Memorials Foundation: 7399 N. Shadeland Ave, Suite 141 Indianapolis, IN 46250