NEWPORT NEWS – Carolyn Louise Krigbaum, 91, passed away at home on Friday, May 10, 2024 surrounded by her daughters.

Carolyn was born in Perry, Missouri on her grandfather’s farm to parents Chauncey and Grace Underwood, the youngest of three children. She grew up the daughter of a veterinarian, always doing her part to rescue and nurture the sick and injured animals her father would invariably bring home. 

She lost her beloved mother when she was only seven years old and within 12 months, her live-in grandparents.  Her sister, Mary Jane, died before Carolyn was born.  Her father remarried, and Nell came into her life to lovingly teach this wild child some civility.

Carolyn met her future husband, Bobby Krigbaum, in Perry.  After returning from service in the Philippines at the end of World War II, Bobby worked for Carolyn’s father in his practice, and the two young people began dating. Carolyn’s idolized older brother, William Underwood, left for college and a career in the U.S. Air Force.

While Carolyn was still in high school, her father became ill with cancer and passed away ten days before her graduation and wedding to Bobby. Bobby had since rejoined the U.S. Army, and the newlyweds left for Virginia and a long military career that would begin and end at Ft. Eustis.

Carolyn traveled with Bob to France to live for three years, having never ventured more than a few dozen miles from her home.  In France, they made lifelong friends and continued their overseas adventures making many important friendships along the way.  In addition to the Philippines and France, Bob served in South Korea, Germany, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, retiring after 29 years, always returning to Ft. Eustis. 

The couple built a lovely home in Denbigh and raised two daughters, Vicki and Kimberly. Upon retirement from the army, Bobby started a very successful business, Nature’s Way Landscaping, with his partner, Charles Corson. Carolyn worked for many years in the business, planting flowers at Anheuser-Busch and other locations, that were Nature’s Way clients.

Carolyn was a lifelong gardener, and she and Bobby could be found working in their yard late into summer nights creating one of the prettiest displays around.  She loved all animals and continued to rescue strays and raised cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and ducks at their home for her whole life, including her cats, Peaches and Patches. She loved trees, and those in her yard grew tall and strong, shading the family’s home. Carolyn always chose to look at the positive side of life, stayed up on current events, was an avid weather watcher, loved sunny days, early mornings outside, dinners with friends, life in Denbigh, and of course, chocolate.  

Carolyn was a wonderful mother to Vicki and Kim, a loving listener, advisor, and friend.  She and Bobby were married for 56 years, until his passing at 81.  Theirs was a lifelong love affair and friendship, two young kids who would grow up in a small Midwestern town and set out to explore the world and raise a happy, loving family.  Their daughters married well.  Vicki married Paul Skydell, and Kimberly married Kevin Miller.  Carolyn, along with Bobby, was the grandmother to Paul and Vicki’s son, Samuel, who in turn married and gave Carolyn great-granddaughter, Eva, with his wife, Laura. Carolyn was predeceased by her loving brother, Bill, and his wife, Mary. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was an immensely strong and beautiful woman.  She was elegant and wise and will be missed deeply by her devoted family and the many people she touched during her lifetime.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 20, 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Peninsula Funeral Home at 11144 Warwick Blvd in Newport News, VA  23601. A graveside service will take place on Tuesday, May 21, at 11:00 AM at Peninsula Memorial Park at 12750 Warwick Blvd in Newport News, VA   23606. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peninsula SPCA, 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News VA 23601.