Obituaries

Carol Jean Eckstein, 88, of Florence, Kentucky, passed away and entered the joy of her reward on May 16, 2026.

She was born in Covington, Kentucky on March 13, 1938, the first child of the late Edgar and Wilma Cox. Carol grew up and mostly lived in the Covington area though she did also spend several years living in the country in Heidrick, Kentucky during elementary school.

Carol was a very hard worker from the beginning. Her first job at 15 was as a “window girl” working for Frisch’s in Fort Mitchell, a role that required her to ride the bus and take two connections to reach. She graduated from Holmes High School in 1956 and immediately earned a full-time clerk position with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, starting out in Silver Grove, Kentucky and eventually moving over to Cincinnati, Ohio. She also met and soon married the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Eckstein, in 1956. Over the next 16 years the two had four children, all boys.

She and Dick had a taste for adventure and decided early in their marriage to relocate to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to run a service station together. After moving back to Kentucky the two later started and managed a trucking business together. Eventually Carol returned to work at C&O for many years and eventually retired as a railroader in 1990. She then worked at Northern Kentucky University as an Administrative Assistant to the Vice President from 1991 to 2003, when she finally retired for good.

Carol was incredibly tough-minded and determined. She lost Dick in 1984 and still had two kids in the house and a lot of responsibilities as a single mom. She always put her kids first and herself last…she sacrificed much easier and better job opportunities to ensure that her boys had the right school and the right opportunities to excel.

Her priority over all her years was her family. When her dad was struck with Alzheimer’s and had to live in a memory care facility, she sat with him every single day after work despite a lengthy 45-minute commute. She loved being a young grandmother and adored spending time with and doing special trips with her four precious grandkids.

She was thrilled in retirement to be able to spend a day a week watching each of her four great-grandchildren (also all boys!) before they started school. She loved spending this special time with them and exhibited her habit of thinking of others by reminding the boys frequently not to jump on her floor to avoid making noise for her downstairs neighbor.

She found great joy in gardening and nurturing her plants and had a special gift for baking, a talent she lovingly shared with family and friends. Her pound cake was a favorite and will be remembered fondly (and missed) by all who were blessed to enjoy it.

Carol had a strong and abiding faith in Jesus that was reflected in her love and devotion to her family. She attended the then-Faith Christian Center in Park Hills and later Crossroads in Oakley and Florence. Her kids enjoyed reading the translated letters she received from a bright young boy she sponsored in Honduras, just one small example among many of her quiet but meaningful support for others.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar Cox and Wilma Mooneyham Cox; her husband, Richard Eckstein; her son, Richard L. Eckstein; and her brother, Ralph Cox.

She is survived by her sons, Michael Eckstein (Tawney), David Eckstein (Geri), and Andy Eckstein (Tara); grandchildren, Jennifer (Marty), Brad (Elaine), Meredith, and Mallory (Zach); and great-grandchildren, Camden, Braden, Trey and Reed.

Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Hospice, 483 South Loop Road, Edgewood, KY 41017.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.stithfuneralhome.com.