For more than sixty years, Marshall and Carol Sue McCrickard faithfully served Christ and His Church. Earlier this year, Marshall’s battle with brain cancer ended. He passed away, leaving Carol Sue to face life’s challenges alone.
Like so many faithful servants who spent their lives ministering in smaller churches, Marshall and Carol Sue never accumulated significant retirement savings. They lived modestly on Social Security and trusted God to provide for their needs. With Marshall’s passing, Carol Sue lost her Social Security benefit and now receives only a portion of his.
Today, Carol Sue is facing the reality of being a widow:
• Out of her small savings she had to pay $1,600 in funeral expenses.
• She needs major dental work that is estimated to cost nearly $3,000.
• Her medical co-payments are adding up as arthritis is affecting her daily life.
• And, she needs financial help to secure a safe place to live on her own.
At 81 years old, Carol Sue is grieving the loss of her husband while facing financial challenges that she simply cannot navigate alone.
Marshall graduated from Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1962 and spent decades ministering in Christian Churches and Churches of Christ across North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and Florida. Whether serving small congregations or investing in individual lives, Marshall devoted himself to helping others know Jesus.
Carol Sue faithfully served alongside him every step of the way.
In addition to supporting youth ministries, women’s ministries, and countless church families, Carol Sue earned a degree in Counseling and Education from Florida Christian College. She went on to serve as a Hospital Chaplain, Hospice Chaplain, Certified Bereavement Specialist, and Director of Bereavement for several funeral homes.
For years, Carol Sue helped others navigate grief. Today, she is facing her own.
This is where you can step in.
KBF has launched a campaign to raise up to $15,000 to help Carol Sue secure stable housing, cover funeral expenses, address urgent medical and dental needs, and provide essential living support as she adjusts to life without Marshall.
Would you prayerfully consider making a gift today?
Whether you can give $50, $500, or more, every gift will help provide stability, encouragement, and hope to a faithful ministry widow during a very difficult season.
Most importantly, your generosity will remind Carol Sue that she is not alone—and that the family of God has not forgotten her years of faithful service.
Here are three simple ways you can give to KBF and bless the Worstell family:
1. Give Online: Click the Give Today button above. Then select the Carol Sue McCrickard Campaign in the drop-down menu and follow the step-by-step instructions.
2. Give by Zelle: In your bank’s Zelle app, add Kairos Benevolence Fund using the Zelle tag KBF-Donate and write Carol Sue McCrickard Campaign in the memo field.
3. Mail a Check Payable to the Kairos Benevolence Fund (write Carol Sue McCrickard Campaign on the memo line).
Your gift can be mailed directly to:
Kairos Benevolence Fund
PO Box 19142
Tucson, AZ 85731-9142
Remember: You can also give a gift of Stock, Real Estate, or other Non-Cash Assets. To get started, email David@KairosBenevolenceFund.com to connect with one of our team members who can help you with this special form of generosity.
Whichever method of giving works best for you, please also join us in praying for Carol Sue as she navigates grief, adjusts to life without Marshall, and seeks God’s provision for the road ahead.
Thank you for being part of a community that cares for those who have spent their lives caring for others.