Carolyn was born in Kirksville, MO to Junior and Neva Mae [Christman] Campbell of Hurdland, MO on September 9, 1942. She graduated from Hurdland High School in 1960 as salutatorian. Carolyn attended Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College in 1961.
She married Herbert Edward Townes on May 22, 1961. They moved to Kansas City, MO and worked for a year before moving to St. Louis, MO. Her daughter, Cindy, was born on January 13, 1967. Carolyn graduated from UMSL with a bachelor’s in education in 1969.
Carolyn taught junior high school social studies for five years before becoming an Area Representative for THEOS (They Help Each Other Spiritually), a self-help group for young and middle-aged widowed men and women. She helped form new chapters of THEOS in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Iowa, and Illinois.
After THEOS, Carolyn decided to work in the mental health field. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from SLU in 1990 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She worked for the Missouri Dept. of Mental Health until her retirement in 2002.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Cindy [Steve] Ritchey; two step-daughters, Kathleen Grimsley and Karen Townes; three grandchildren, Bryce, Gillian, and Greyson Ritchey; brother-in-law, Conrad Binyon; brother, Kenneth [Betty] Campbell; niece, Kristina Peterson; nephew, Bradley Campbell; and other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Family who preceded her in death are her sister, Cathy Campbell Binyon; her parents, Junior and Neva Campbell; paternal grandparents, Ralph and Josephine Campbell; maternal grandparents, Earl and Myrtle Christman; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Carolyn was a member of Bethesda Evangelical Church in St. Louis, MO and will be greatly missed by family and friends who loved her.
Services: Visitation will be on Saturday, September 3rd from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with funeral service starting immediately after at Bethesda Evangelical Church, 85 Lemay Gardens Drive, St. Louis, MO 63125. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Monday, September 5th.
Sending my love & prayers for comfort to Carolyn’s family. She was a wonderful person & will be missed by those who knew her & her fun personality!
Sending my love & prayers for comfort to Carolyn’s family. She was a wonderful person & will be missed by those who knew her & her fun personality!
I will miss our sweet “hat lady” here at Cedarhurst of Arnold. She holds a special place in my heart.
I will miss our sweet “hat lady” here at Cedarhurst of Arnold. She holds a special place in my heart.
We are sending our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family and friends. I loved Carolyn so much. She was a loving and caring friend and would do anything within her power to help anyone. I loved her since of humor and we always enjoyed our times together. I will miss her terribly, but I know that she is now out of pain and is resting the arms of Jesus.
We are sending our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family and friends. I loved Carolyn so much. She was a loving and caring friend and would do anything within her power to help anyone. I loved her since of humor and we always enjoyed our times together. I will miss her terribly, but I know that she is now out of pain and is resting the arms of Jesus.
Our condolences to Cindy, Steve, Bryce, Gillian and Greyson. Prayers of comfort for your family during this difficult time. Carolyn is now resting in her eternal home.
Our condolences to Cindy, Steve, Bryce, Gillian and Greyson. Prayers of comfort for your family during this difficult time. Carolyn is now resting in her eternal home.
Truly a gem!! I knew her from the dental office I was employed by. She always could make me laugh. Will be missed!!!
Truly a gem!! I knew her from the dental office I was employed by. She always could make me laugh. Will be missed!!!