Carolyn P. Tebow

Carolyn P. Tebow, 102 years, 3 months, and 9 days (as she would proudly tell when asked her age), passed away peacefully at her Westwood, KS, home on July 5, 2022. Carolyn was born on March 26, 1920, in Tarboro, North Carolina, to the late Olin and Lallah (Cherry) Perritt.  She was the eldest of four children, none of whom survive.

Carolyn had many hobbies, but the one she enjoyed most was gardening. She learned early on in her gardening experience that, with the right nourishment, a plant will grow wherever it is planted.  Carolyn’s life was the same in so many ways.

As a teenager in the late-1930’s, Carolyn discovered she really enjoyed swimming, so she joined the swim team in Tarboro, NC, living with her grandparents to be able to swim with this particular team.  With the encouragement of her coaches, she went on to win multiple medals and set many new records along the eastern seaboard. She had the opportunity to attend the Olympic swimming trials in 1939, but WWII interfered. Carolyn last swam at age 101, cheered on by several family members.

Upon graduating from high school, Carolyn chose nursing as a career and moved to Durham, NC, to enter nurse’s training at Watts Hospital. There were many who supported her in this career choice and made sure she was able to achieve her dream. One evening during a break in her training, Carolyn decided to attend a United Services Organization (USO) dance where she met a handsome young soldier who played trumpet in the Army band. Kenneth and Carolyn began dating and married March 23, 1944, while visiting Kenneth’s parents in Maryville, MO.

Carolyn was planted in Maryville, Sunflower Village, KS, Chanute, KS, Roeland Park, KS, and, finally, Westwood, KS. In all of these locations, she was nurtured and nourished by family, friends, church connections, and community activities, as well as professionally.

Carolyn’s proudest role was as wife to Kenneth for 79 years and mother to four children, Sue (Jerry) Schultz, Shawnee, KS, Dick (Sandy) Hayward, CA, David (Jayme), Westwood, KS, and Pat (Carl) Stoll, Lee’s Summit, MO, all who survive her. She also showered love on her 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom survive.

In turn, Carolyn nurtured others when she worked as Director of Nurses at Neosho Memorial Hospital in Chanute, KS, developed and directed a swimming program through the American Red Cross in both Chanute and Johnson County, KS, where she also taught First Aid and Mother & Baby Care classes. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from Ottawa University after she was employed by the Shawnee Mission School District as a school nurse, retiring in 1985, following 18 years of service.

Carolyn was a member of Old Mission United Methodist Church in Fairway, KS, where she held many leadership positions, especially with the United Methodist Women’s organization. She was awarded a Lady Hixson Fellowship from Kiwanis International for contributions she made to its Children’s Fund.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Old Mission Methodist Foundation Scholarship Fund or the Old Mission United Methodist Church, both located at 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, KS 66205

A visitation will be held Friday, July 15, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Amos Family Funeral Home.

Carolyn will be laid to rest at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 17th at Old Mission United Methodist Church 5519 State Park Rd, Fairway, KS 66205. To view the celebration online, please click here .