The Life of CAROL JANE BRIGGS
Carol Jane Briggs, 89, passed away Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Edencrest at Beaverdale in Des Moines, IA. Services will be held 1 pm Monday, November 21, 2022, at Iles Grandview Park Chapel, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The service will be livestreamed on the Iles website. Go to IlesCares.com at 12:45 p.m. Monday and scroll to the bottom of Carol's obituary to join in the service. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.
Carol was born December 15, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Glenn and Margaret (Fulton) Towers.
Carol is survived by her children, Michael Briggs, Susan Septer, David (Carolyn) Briggs and Sally (Gary) Harris; 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Shirley Hansen.
Carol Briggs, “Little Towers” or “Red” as her classmates called her in 1951, drove herself and friends to East High School in a 1930s Ford Model A, with a rumble seat made from an old tire.
She started her career for Northwestern Bell Telephone as a teenager and continued working for Qwest, retiring in 1993.
Carol dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. She provided a safe, loving home to anyone in the family needing shelter and care. She also opened her doors to an occasional stray kitten or puppy, offering homeless animals a lifetime of love and attention.
When Carol believed in someone, she was untiring in her support. The 2016 presidential election captured her heart, and soon she was a key part of Barack Obama's team in Iowa. She went to rallies, made signs, and met with her campaign team weekly- and also might have had her cheek kissed one or two (or three) times by the man who would become President of the United States.
Carol was also a talented artist, best known for her ceramic pumpkins, Christmas trees, and Easter eggs she created for the holidays. She often sold her work at craft fairs and businesses around Des Moines as well as taught ceramic classes for her friends in the basement.The pottery kiln would often fire throughout the night, as she tried to keep up with advance orders.
What truly made Carol unique is that she found joy in life from people, not things. She rarely spent money on herself, and instead offered what little savings she had to anyone needing help. She taught us to be content with what we have, and that a simple life can be the best life.