CAROLYN WOFFORD

 

 

Carolyn Lowell Christian Wofford, 85, of Edina, Missouri, passed away Thursday morning, August 16, 2018, at the Manor Care Center in Kirksville, Missouri.

Carolyn was born on March 14, 1933 in Amsterdam, New York, the only child of Lewis M. and Dulcie Deuel Christian.

She was a graduate of Wilber H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam, New York; Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri; and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Education from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She received her Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia with qualifications in Reading, Psychology and Supervision. She was certified as a Reading Specialist in the State of Missouri.

Carolyn enjoyed teaching at every level. She taught pre-school in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, kindergarten in Amsterdam, New York, and first grade in Long Beach, California. She supervised student teachers at the University of Missouri in Columbia and was also the first Graduate Assistant in the Reading Clinic there under Dr. A. Sterl Artley, author of the Dick and Jane reading series of elementary reading texts, and Dr. Vera Lee Hardin.

Carolyn taught three grade levels in one classroom in a personalized learning program she developed at Center Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri; remedial reading to high school students in Fayette, Missouri; first grade at Running Fox Elementary School in Clark County, Missouri; third grade at East Prairie Elementary School in East Prairie, Missouri.  Carolyn was a reading specialist for the Eldon Public Schools, and did substitute teaching in Knox County. She considered all of her employment a joy.

Carolyn served on the Curriculum Committee of the University of Missouri at Kansas City and on an advisory committee of the University of Missouri while she lived in Kansas City. This group revised the elementary curriculum of the University of Missouri. She edited a field trip guide and served on a committee to revise report cards on the primary level. She held several offices in the Parent-Teacher Association and was secretary for Delta Kappa Gamma, a teacher’s professional organization.

Having been an accomplished actress before meeting Clint, Carolyn was a leader, writer and director of children’s plays, and director of several Live Lord’s Supper dramatic presentations. She organized an acolyte program for several churches.

She was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Kirksville, Missouri.  Carolyn was active with children at Vacation Bible School, Camp Director and Dean, and read at local libraries. Carolyn was a member of the United Methodist Women, giving her the opportunity to hold many local, district, and conference service positions.

She was a member of the Matilda Chapter OES #411 in Edina, Missouri and the Daughters of the American Revolution in Clark County, Missouri.

Carolyn married Clinton Frie Wofford on June 11, 1955 in Amsterdam, New York, whom she met while attending Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri. When they retired in 1998 they moved to Edina to be near their youngest daughter.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Clint Wofford of Edina, Missouri; a son David and his wife Myra Wofford Merriam, Kansas; two daughters, Cheryl Lynn Wofford and her husband Christopher Leigh Hill of Boise, Idaho, and Susan Carol and her husband Samuel John Fredrick Shoults of Knox City, Missouri; two grandchildren, Jesse Shoults and John Eric Shoults; one great granddaughter, Nevaeh Irene Miller-Shoults; step-grandchildren, Nathan Hall, Monica and Julio Toro-Burquet, Chance, Sebastian and Bryce; great grandchildren, Elliott and Isabelle; along with a host of church, and community friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Carolyn’s request was to donate her body to the University of Missouri in Columbia, to further medical education. Her family wishes for you to join them at a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home in Edina, Missouri.

An expression of sympathy in memory of Carolyn Wofford may be left to the Masonic Home of Missouri. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.