Carolyn Gatson McBride was born February 11,1933, in Ralls County, Mo. She was the first of four children born to Maude Lorene Brown and Willoughby Henry Gatson. Her siblings are Evelyn Evans, Anita Allee, and Arnold Gatson.
Carolyn went to rural, one-room schools in the Spencer Creek area (Crosslane, Bridgewater, Butler). She graduated from Vandalia High School and the University of Missouri, as did her three siblings. Carolyn taught at Eugene Field in Mexico, in Farber, and at Van-Far Middle and Elementary Schools. She retired after 32 years of helping children learn.
Carolyn married Leo McBride in June of 1952, just before he left for Korea. Carolyn continued her college work. They lived in Fort Worth, Texas, and Mexico, Mo., and then Farber, where their three children were born. They later moved to Vandalia.
Their children are: Laura (Gerald) Martin, Fair Grove, Mo., Leann (Alan) Rosenmiller, Old Monroe, Mo., and Norman (Andrea) McBride of Curryville, Mo. Their grandchildren are: Jesse and Jonathan Wasson, Leah and Lucas Rosenmiller, Renee and Ryan Renolds, Jason Giltner, and Aaron McBride. Great grandchildren: Rodger and Lily Giltner, Bennett, Harlynn, and Adalyn Wasson, and Owen Reynolds.
Her parents, her sister, Anita, her brother, Arnold, and infant grandchildren, Anna Rosenmiller, and Joshua Giltner, all died earlier.
Carolyn was active in community and church activities. She was a 4-H member and later a leader, taught religion classes, volunteered at the women’s prison, was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and was currently a member of the Tri-County Care Center Board of Directors. She loved history and was a member of the Ralls County, Vandalia, and Audrain County Historical Societies. She loved spending time with her family, sewing, quilting, and working in the yard with her flowers.
A Mass to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, March 26, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vandalia. A rosary will be recited at 10 a.m., with Mass at 10:30. (No visitation) A private burial ceremony will be held at Vandalia Cemetery. All friends and family are invited to attend a luncheon served at St. Patrick’s Hall.
Donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vandalia.