LEONA CARTER

JASPER- Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, at Weng Funeral Chapel, for Leona Elaine Carter, 80, a longtime Jasper resident that died Sunday morning, Oct. 29, 2017, with her daughters by her side. Burial will follow in Mitchell Cemetery, east of Jasper.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the chapel on 605 S. Main, Jasper.

Online condolences may be made at www.wengfuneralchapel.com.

Survivors include her four children, Jim Carter and wife Bev, Jasper, Debra Probert and husband Steven, Jasper, Cynthia Emerson and husband Terry, Bella Vista, Ark. and Jacqueline Jordan and husband Keith, Forest City, Iowa; a sister, Carolyn Isenmann, Jasper; a brother, Gary Jarmin, Alba and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and some very close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Carter and two great-grandchildren, Gabriel Collins and Elliott Channel.

Mrs. Carter was born May 5, 1937, in Alba, to Richard and Beatrice (Collier) Jarmin. A devoted mother, she returned to college as a non-traditional student in the late 1960’s, where she was in the first graduating class to receive a four-year degree from Missouri Southern State College (now MSSU). Upon graduation she taught Business Education in Lockwood for two years and then Jasper, where she taught many years before retiring.

A lifelong Christian, she was a member of Jasper Christian Church. Active since retirement, she belonged to the Missouri State Teachers Association, the Lazy Daisies and was a founding member of her chapter of Red Hat Society and served as Queen Mother.

She enjoyed attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school and sporting events and was known to drive many miles to watch them participate or coach. She lived her faith and was always ready to lend a hand, a shoulder to cry on, a word of encouragement or was willing to make sure a physical need was met. She will be greatly missed.