Carolyn Joyce (Cobb) Boggs

Carolyn Joyce (Cobb) Boggs, 90, beloved wife of Bruce Boggs, passed away peacefully at home on August 7, 2025, following an extended illness. She was surrounded by her family, and was welcomed into Heaven by a host of friends and loved ones who went on before her.  

Carolyn was born on August 10, 1934, to the late Moss and Lucy Mae (Moyers) Abshear in Owsley County, Kentucky. The eldest of seven children, Carolyn spent her childhood in McKee (Jackson County), Kentucky, before moving to Nicholasville in her late teens.  

In 1951, Carolyn met and married her first husband, the late Shirley Benton Cobb, and together they built a loving family that grew to include four children and eight grandchildren. Carolyn and Shirley enjoyed 47 years of faithful marriage before his death in February, 1998. 

In 2011, Carolyn reconnected with Bruce Boggs, a childhood friend from her days in McKee. The two were wed, and enjoyed fourteen years of devoted marriage.  

A caretaker by nature, Carolyn enjoyed raising her family, spending time working in her yard and garden, and preparing delicious Sunday dinners for those she loved. A true example of the hands and feet of Jesus, Carolyn was a selfless, nurturing, and compassionate woman, whose life was characterized by hard work, and a willingness to always put the needs of others before her own. Carolyn was a faithful Christian, and a member of Mt. Lebanon Methodist Church.  

In addition to her husband, Bruce, Carolyn is survived by her children and their spouses: Kathy (George) Smith, Cindy (Greg) Hobson, Melinda (Michael) Harness, and Jack Ragan (Karen) Cobb, all of Nicholasville; as well as her step children: Lori Boggs, Paige Laughlin, and Bruce Boggs Jr, of Lexington. Carolyn was also the proud grandmother of Erin (Ben) Phillips, Lora (Luke) Wellinghurst, Brian (Bailey) Hobson, Caroline Pinkston, Hallie Pinkston, David (Michelle) Holt, Danielle (Nick) Yates, and Mandi Harness. Her great grandchildren include Matthew Phillips; Hannah, Wesley, and Eva Wellinghurst; Carson Mullins; Aubree Yates; Myla Harness; and Sawyer Landrum. Carolyn is further survived by one sister, Beverly Janes, of Pensacola, Florida; brothers Paul and Mickey (Debbie) Abshear, both of Nicholasville; a sister-in-law Barbara Ann Ballard; and a brother-in-law, Ralph B. Cobb. Her treasured lifelong friends, Leona Bales and Marth Ann Sowle, are also among the survivors. In addition to her first husband and her parents, she is preceded in death by two brothers: Owen Gerald “Jerry” Abshear and Gary Joe Abshear, as well as a sister, Linda Sewell.  

The Boggs and Cobb family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Brenda Hay for her years of love, support, and faithful caretaking during Carolyn’s lengthy illness. The family would further like to thank Lisa, Kim, Melissa, Katelyn, Juanita, and Crystal of Bluegrass Care Navigators, who supported Carolyn and family with professionalism, compassion, and care. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Clark Legacy Center in Nicholasville. The family will gather together between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm, and invite friends to pay their respects between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm that evening. An additional visitation will also be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am with funeral services to follow, the Reverend Mike Canada officiating. Burial will follow at the Cobb Cemetery on Chrisman Mill Road. Honoring Carolyn as active pallbearers are Jerald Abshear, Brent Abshear, Clay Cobb, John Cobb, Lee Cobb, and Brian Hobson.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Greg Hobson, George Smith, Michael Harness, Ralph Cobb, Luke Wellinghurst, and Ben Phillips. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions honoring Carolyn be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana: 2808 Palumbo Drive, Ste 205, Lexington, KY 40509.