***Closings***    Holton Senior Center - Closed Wednesday *** Jackson County Courthouse Closed Wednesday *** NEK-CAP Offices & Centers - All Closed on Wednesday *** Nemaha County Meals on Wheels and Public Transportation Closed Wednesday *** Cardiac Rehab at Amberwell Hiawatha Cancelled for Wednesday *** Harvesters Distribution at Nemaha Comm. Center cancelled Wednesday also at Sabetha *** Auburn Head Start Closed Wednesday *** Falls City Head Start Closed Wednesday *** Falls City Public Schools Closed Wednesday *** Falls City Sacred Heart Closed Wednesday *** Highland Community College - All Campuses and Classes Cancelled Wednesday *** Humboldt Table Rock Steinaur Closed Wednesday *** Johnson County Central Schools Closed Wednesday *** Kickapoo Nation School - Closed Wednesday *** Maur Hill - Mount Academy closed Wednesday *** Pawnee City Schools Closed Wednesday *** Saint Benedict Catholic School closed Wednesday *** Sterling Schools Closed Wednesday *** Table Rock Head Start Closed Wednesday *** USD 111 Doniphan West closed Wednesday. No parent/teacher conferences *** USD 113 Prairie Hills - Closed Wednesday *** USD 114 Riverside - Closed Wednesday *** USD 115 Nemaha Central--closed Wednesday *** USD 322 Onaga, Havensville, Wheaton - Closed Wednesday *** USD 335 Jackson Heights - Closed Wednesday *** USD 336 Holton - Closed Wednesday *** USD 337 Royal Valley - Closed Wednesday *** USD 338 Valley Falls - Closed Wednesday *** USD 340 Jeff West - Closed Wednesday *** USD 341 Oskaloosa - Closed Wednesday *** USD 342 McLouth - Closed Wednesday *** USD 343 Perry Lecompton - Closed Wednesday *** USD 372 Silver Lake - Closed Wednesday *** USD 377 ACCHS - Closed Wednesday *** USD 409 Atchison-closed Wednesday *** USD 415 Hiawatha--closed Wednesday *** USD 429 Troy - Closed Wednesday *** USD 430 South Brown County--closed Wednesday ***
Obituaries Announcements

Carolyn Toliaferro
Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home in Atchison
Effingham, KS


With her family by her side, Carolyn Taliaferro peacefully lost her courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Nortonville Pleasant Grove Christian Church with Pastor Robert McGuire officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery, Effingham, KS. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday January 31, 2025, at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Nortonville Pleasant Grove Christian Church and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.beckerdyer.com. Carolyn will lay in state at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home in Atchison on Friday January 31, 2025, from 8:00 AM- 3:00 PM.

Carolyn was born on November 23, 1948, to Ernest and Leona (Jarratt) Congrove at Horton Hospital. A 1966 graduate of Atchison County Community High School, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 1970. On February 14, 1970, she married the love of her life, Alva Lee Taliaferro, and together they built a life filled with love and purpose. Carolyn dedicated 29 years to education at USD #377 school district, impacting the lives of countless students.

A faithful member of Nortonville Christian Church, Carolyn served as a pianist and found joy in her community. She was active on the Effingham Library Board and participated in many local organizations, including the Effingham Community Club, Effie Red Hats, Retired School Personnel, and the This and That Club. Carolyn’s love for her family was unmatched, and her pride in her two grandsons was evident to anyone who knew her.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of almost 55 years, Alva Lee, her son, Aaron (Monica) Taliaferro of Effingham, her daughter, Megan (Jack) Laurie of Atchison; and her beloved grandsons, Mason Hawk and Kade Laurie, both of Atchison. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Shirley Congrove of Kansas City; her brothers, Jim (Dorothy) Congrove of Lawrence and Bob (Patsy) Congrove of Topeka; and two cousins who had become like sisters to her, Helen Hall and Dorothy Reddick of DeKalb. Carolyn leaves behind three nephews, four nieces, and numerous great nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jerry Congrove.

Carolyn’s life was a testament to love, service, and dedication to her family, faith, and community