Carolyn Saunders passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at 3:30pm. She was surrounded by her loving children with their spouses and grandchildren. She suffered a stroke on the prior Wednesday when in the hospital for evaluation of her heart. Daughter Kim was with her when this occurred. Despite excellent medical care received at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, she deteriorated and while under care of hospice passed away.

Carolyn was born June 12, 1942, one of four children born to H.D. “Jack” and JoAnn McConnaughey Whetstine and was a lifelong resident of rural Highland/Troy communities. She grew up on a farm near Highland where she attended country school, prior to graduating from Highland High School with the class of 1960. Carolyn later graduated with an associate’s degree from Highland Community College. Through the years she worked at various jobs: clerk at the post office, Highland High School, Highland Community College, and was a secretary for Noll Insurance, not to mention helping on the farm when needed. However, being a housewife and mother, later years, a grandmother, which would take precedence over anything. She always had time for family and friends.

Something else that was important to her was her relationship with her Lord. Carolyn was a longtime member of the Community of Christ at Fanning where she served as Priest, Elder, and through the years Sunday school teacher, and youth leader. In her ‘spare time’, she enjoyed reading and traveling.

She was married to David Twombly in 1960 until his death in 1965. She later married William “Bill” Saunders, July 1, 1966 at the Fanning Church. They lived most of their married life on a farm between Troy and Highland. He died in 2014. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Larry Whetstine and John Whetstine.

Survivors include her children: Steven Twombly (Julie) of Blue Springs, MO, Kimberly Cater (Mark) of Smithville, MO, Lane Saunders (Michelle) of Highland, Jared Saunders of Lawrence, KS; brother Jason Whetstine of Lawrence; two sisters in law Virginia Whetstine, Kathleen McKay Twombly; 10 grandchildren: Joshua, Trevor, Dustin Saunders, Dale, Derek and Daniel Twombly, Amani, and Aisha      Al-Hallaq; great-grandchildren: Kendal, Koder, Zoey, Evee, Hugh, Adelaide, Cecelia and Ivan.

On Saturday, March 14 at 12:00 noon, a meal and visiting with family will be hosted by Fanning Community of Christ Church. We will celebrate her Life and remember all the joy she brought us.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Fanning Community of Christ and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035, who is assisting the family.

UPDATE: The Celebration of Life for Carolyn Saunders for Saturday, March 14th has been cancelled until further notice.