Carolyn R. (Baum) Johnson, 92, passed away peacefully February 7, 2024, at St. Lukes Nursing Center in Carthage, Mo. Carolyn was born June 1, 1931, in Springfield, Mo to Charles A. and Virginia R. (Glazebrook) Baum. She grew up in Springfield, Mo attending school at St. Agnes, Central High School, and Drury University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education.
While teaching in KC, Mo. She met and married James H. Johnson on June 30, 1956. Together they had two children Kathryn (Johnson) Reese and Kevin Charles Johnson.
Through Jim’s employer they had the opportunity to live in different cities: Maryville, Mo, Overland Park, Ks, Chicago, Il, Salt Lake City, Ut and Leawood, Ks, where she taught different grade levels at each location.
While living in Leawood, Ks. Jim passed away in 1974, after that Carolyn moved her family to Springfield, Mo. Living in Springfield, Carolyn worked in various occupations: Baum Oil Company, Creekside at Elfindale Independent Living, American Heart Association, Girl Scouts, Campfire Scouts, and Travel Options tour guide in Branson, Mo, a job she thoroughly enjoyed and was very good at as she was so familiar with the area. Carolyn was a devoted member of Christ Episcopal Church. She moved to College View Manor, Joplin, Mo in 2020 to be near her son and then to St Lukes Nursing Center in Oct 2023 until her death.
Summertime was especially fun spending weekends at Table Rock Lake on her houseboat – “Makushla V”. Carolyn, “KK” or “Gammy” as she was fondly called, gave her children and grandchildren many wonderful opportunities and memories. There were always many laughs while at the lake.
Carolyn was a real no nonsense person with a resilient personality and didn’t hesitate to tell you what she thought, that’s one of the qualities people loved about her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Carolyn was proceeded in death by her husband, Jim; parents, Charles, and Virginia Baum; her sister, Charlotte (Baum) Johnson; and her brother, Charles “Bud” Baum.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Kathryn (Johnson) Reese, Overland Park, Ks, Kevin (Jacqui) Johnson, Carthage, Mo, and Melissa (Baum) Ostendorf, Ft Worth, Tx; three grandchildren, Angela (Andy) Dower, San Diego, Ca, Kaitlyn Reese, Kansas City, Mo, Keegan Reese, Overland Park, Ks; two great grandchildren, Charles Dower, and Zanya Reese; two nephews, Dale (Linda) Johnson, San Diego, Ca, and Chris (CeCe) Johnson, Leawood, Ks; and two nieces, Sharon (Scott) Moser, Wichita, Ks, and Anita (Jeff) Wesche, Virginia Beach, Va.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am, March 25, 2024, at Johnson County Memorial Gardens, Overland Park, Ks. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Jim. A memorial in Carolyn’s honor may be made to St. Luke’s Nursing Center care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut St, Carthage, MO 64836.
