The Rev. Dr. Carole Chase

The Reverend Doctor Carole F. Chase, 83, died peacefully May 21, 2020, at Liberty Commons of Alamance County. She was a retired Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University and a retired Presbyterian Minister. She was the daughter of Constant W. Chase, Jr. and Frederica Olsson Chase who predeceased her.

While her father was employed as an engineer for the Panama Canal, Carole was born on December 1, 1936, in Ancon Canal Zone, Panama, where she lived until she graduated from Balboa High School and came to the United States to attend the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. After earning a BA in Secondary Education, she taught math for four years in Woodbridge, NJ, before enrolling in the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA, where she earned an MA in Bible. She spent the next five years as a Campus Christian Life Worker for the Presbyterian Church at Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, VA.

In 1969, Carole felt a calling to attend Duke University, where she earned a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics in 1973, after which she worked for the Dean of the evening college and summer sessions division of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. In 1976 she became a professor of religious studies at Elon College (now University) in Elon, NC, and was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA.

With teaching as her main concern, Carole was devoted to her students, their intellectual growth and spiritual development. As an innovative educator, she developed and taught many religious studies courses, as well as cutting-edge interdisciplinary courses in global studies, environmental ethics and women’s and gender studies. Carole was one of Elon’s first proponents of experiential learning, requiring internships of her students and teaching study abroad courses. In addition to teaching, Carole also served many years as a ‘supply’ preacher for Presbyterian clergy in the area. For her meritorious 25-year service to Elon, Carole was awarded the Elon Medallion in 2002 – Elon’s highest honor.

A prolific writer, Carole has published numerous poems, articles, and reviews. She authored a book of her own poetry, “Personal Effects.” and a biography of her friend, author Madeleine L’Engle, “Suncatcher: A Study of Madeleine L’Engle and Her Writings.” She was the editor for two more books on L’Engle’s writings: “Glimpses of Grace” and “Madeleine Herself.”

Carole was known for her sense of justice and fairness, as well as her compassion and generosity to family, friends and students whenever there was a need.

Carole was predeceased by her brother, John Peabody Chase (Jeanne) in 2019. Those she leaves to cherish her memories are her brother, Constant Woodman Chase III (Armenia), Conover, NC, her sister-in-law, Jeanne Chase, Tucson, AZ, two nephews, Michael Chase (Ashley), Raleigh, NC, David Chase, Tallahassee, FL. two nieces, Dr. Stephanie Chase Holman (Alan), Conover, NC, and Patricia Chase Brown, Tucson, AZ, three great-nieces, Sydney Chase, Isla Holman and Mila Holman, and three great-nephews, Logan Chase, Kyle Chase and Henry Holman. In addition, Carole leaves her loyal friends whom she cherished: Lou Wallace (housemate), Pam Brumbaugh, Debby Wall, Carolyn Toben, Christine Mallia, Ann Wilkinson and Kel Peterson. Heartfelt gratitude to Carole’s devoted caregivers at Edgewood and Liberty Commons.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, a private family celebration of her life will be held later.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Constant W. & Frederica Chase Scholarship Fund at Elon University – Office of Advancement, 2600 Campus Box, Elon, NC, 27244.

We encourage sharing condolences with her family and friends on the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com.