Mrs. Carolyn R. Kerford, 90, Atchison, Kansas died peacefully Thursday May 14, 2015 at Atchison Senior Village Nursing Center.

Funeral services will be Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Second Christian Church with Rev. Paul Kelley officiating.  Interment will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Friday, May 22nd from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Atchison Library and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Carolyn Ruth Pennell was born July 22, 1924, to Charles and Beatrice Pennell in Lawrence, Kansas.

Carolyn attended Lawrence public schools, and later, the University of Kansas. While at KU, Carolyn met Lloyd Kerford, Jr. They eventually married July 4, 1943. The Kerfords had two children, Brenda Kerford Vaughn, Atchison, Kansas, and Pennell Mark Kerford, St. Joseph, Missouri. A loving daughter in law, Karen Kerford, a special niece, Nancy Jo Flint, two nephews, Barry Morgan and Craig Singleton, and countless extended family gave her a full and joyous life. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two infant sons, a brother, and two sisters.

Carolyn worked for Kansas Social Rehabilitation Services for 25 years, retiring in 1986. She was active in civic affairs, Second Christian Church and she loved the Atchison Library.

Carolyn leaves her legacy of service, kindness and hospitality to her beloved grandchildren: Dr. Rachel and Tim Lescher, Anchorage, Alaska, Alex and Maria Kerford, St. Louis, Missouri and Christopher Kerford, Houston, Texas. Her first great grandchild, Anderson Kerford, born last year in St. Louis, Missouri.