Carolyn ‘Carol’ L. Warren

Carolyn “Carol” L. Warren was born Carolyn LaWanda Burnette - yes, a famous name but no relation - she was born 3 days after Christmas, Dec. 28, 1942, to Velma Lenora (Pierson) and John W. Burnette.

S h e became the baby girl of a very large family in rural Monticello, Ark., Drew County.

Carol, 78, died Dec. 15, 2021, at 8:30 a.m., at Fowler Residential Center, Fowler, in Meade County, surrounded by the wonderful team of caring staff there while peacefully listening to her favorite old country and western music.

This extraordinary group of people were the most compassionate care givers and were by her side the last four months of her life. They were there for her, when her daughter could not be. They were like family.

They kept her daughter, Tammie Warren-Betz, Palmetto, Fla., connected and informed of Carolyn’s needs, wants and shenanigans. Yes, at the age of 78, blind from glaucoma, CHF, struggling with COPD, and stage four kidney failure, Carol, still found ways to get into trouble, mostly just trying to go from her favorite chair to her bed on her own - most of you that knew her, knew how fiercely independent and quite stubborn she was.

She had trouble asking for help, but would take it if you were kind enough to offer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth L. Warren, who died Feb. 19, 2014, in their daughter’s home, Tammie and Aaron’s, in Kansas City, Mo.

Carol and Ken were married July 14, 1984, at Life Tabernacle Church by Rev. G. Elms. Kenneth adopted Carol’s daughter, Tammie, and they all lived for many years at 4th and Jordan in the only yellow house on the street. Ken and Carol divorced in 1998, but remained close friends.

Tammie’s biological father, LaVergne “Jim” Gross also preceded Carol in death (April of 2007) in Wichita.

Carol attended public school in Monticello, Ark. She moved to Kansas when her other brothers, Hampton “Hank” and David “Clinton”, also both deceased now 2006 and 2009, moved up to Kansas back in the early 1960s.

She met and married a man, had two boys, divorced and the young boys were raised by their paternal grandparents.

Carol moved to Garden City, met and married Jim, had a daughter, eventually moving to Liberal. They divorced. She worked outside the home as a maid for Mrs. Reynolds at Yellow Freight where she met Ken, who drove for Groendyke Trucking, later marrying him in 1984. She became a stay-at-home wife/mother.

She was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (aka A.A.) She attended meetings and was the secretary of the local chapter for awhile. She was a great cook and loved music, jewelry, and loved to laugh.

She lived in Liberal up until four months ago. She always talked about missing “home.” She loved rural Arkansas, specifically Monticello, where she was born and raised. She shared her wishes with everyone she knew about hating Kansas weather and one day wanting to return to be near her people.

The land of opportunity, the natural state is where her daughter, Tammie, will spread her ashes and place a headstone for her near her mother, father, and other family/kin that has preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Tammie Lynne Warren-Betz and husband, Aaron E., and their son, Skyler, Palmetto, Fla.; step-daughter, Lisa Stewart and husband, Mike Stewart and their daughter, Taylor, Coconut Creek, Fla.; sons, their spouses, and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; brother, Randall and wife, Birdie, Monticello, Ark.; sister-in-law, Martha Kinzalow; nephews, Johnny Burnett and wife, Karen, their children, Mark Burnett and wife, Nora, and children, Landeren “Lanny” W. Burnett and son Matthew, Michael Burnett and wife, Kim and son Jakob; nieces, Sheila Kilgore and husband, Dean, and chil dren, Cindy Calabrese and children, Ramona Schilke and husband, Jeff and son Ben, Tracey Cordova and daughter, Alyssa, Shantel, Lisa A. Burks Forrest, her children, and grandchildren; and great-nephew, Joshua.

Special mention to Tiffany Brady, Liberal, who was like a daughter to Carol and childhood best friend to Tammie.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and many brothers, David “Clinton” and Hampton “Hank”; sisters, MarthaAnn and her daughter, Sylvia; and other relatives and friends too numerous to list.

A Celebration of Life, her physical earth birthday, service will be held in Liberal, for her family and friends in the area at Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd St., on Tues., Dec. 28, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.

A secondary Celebration of Life service will be held in Monticello, Ark., Drew County, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home on Thurs., Dec. 30, 3:00 p.m., for her family and friends in that area.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that trees be planted in her honor, or that you make donations to Kidney Nation (AKF), International Society for Bipolar Disorders, COPD research, or Lewy Body Dementia Research.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www. hornungfuneralhome. com Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, Ks. 67901.