Karen Lee Caruthers Carter went to be with her Heavenly Father and to rejoin her husband, her Christian relatives, and her Christian friends on December 1, 2023.

Karen was born on September 21, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas to Clifford M. Caruthers and Anna Marie Bridges Caruthers of Saffordville, Kansas. The family moved to a small farm near Purdy, MO in 1944. They attended a small country church where Karen and her two sisters enjoyed singing, and their older brother played the violin at times. The girls sang in many programs, sang on the Monett radio station, and even made an appearance on a Springfield TV station. Sadly, their father passed away from a massive heart attack, and their mother had to find a job to support the family. She found employment at the state school where she dedicated herself to working with retarded children. Mack, Karen's older brother, returned to MU in Columbia, and she and her sisters graduated from Higginsville High School. Karen graduated in 1961, then earned a Bachelor's degree in English, and a Master's degree in English from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO.

Karen and James Campbell (J.C.) Carter, were married on April 4, 1964 in the home of Dick and Opal Carter of Warrensburg, MO. They enjoyed fifty-four years of marriage together, and Karen loved and supported J.C. in all of his many endeavors. He was the love of her life!

Karen began her teaching career at Farmer's Elementary School, then transferred to Oak Grove Junior High, and finished out her career at Warrensburg Middle School. She taught for thirty years, and was a devoted and dedicated school teacher.

J.C. and Karen raised two beautiful daughters. Reva Joanne Carter Henegar who taught High School English for 28 years. She married Harlen Henegar and they had one daughter. Reva retired in Lumberton, MS. Kelly Yvonne Carter Carleton was an Elementary Principal's secretary for the Lee's Summit School district. She married Ron Carleton and they had two children. Kelly retired at the Lake of the Ozarks.

J.C. and Karen were dedicated members of Liberty Baptist Church in Fayetteville, MO. Karen served in various capacities throughout the years. She was a committed Sunday school teacher, printed the church bulletin, was the church clerk, and also the church librarian.

Karen is preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Carter; her daughter, Reva Henegar; her mother, Anna Marie Bridges Caruthers; her father, Clifford M. Caruthers; her brother, Mack Caruthers; her great grandson, Jackson Lee Carleton; a nephew, Geoffrey Miller; her mother in-law, Ethlyn Carter; and her father in-law, Buford Carter.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Carleton; her two sisters, Carol Green and Sharon Miller; five nieces, one nephew, two granddaughters, one grandson and four great grandchildren.

According to Karen's wishes, there will be no memorial services. She will be cremated and buried next to J.C. in Liberty Cemetery north of Warrensburg, MO.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg, Missouri.