Carney, Phyllis J. April 20, 1937 - September 1, 2018

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

Phyllis Joyce Carney held that scripture near and dear to her heart. She prayed it, taught it, and lived it. The Lord took her on several adventures, building her faith and molding her character.

Phyllis was born on April 20, 1937. She and her three siblings grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended Southeast High School where she met a young man named Don. She captured his heart and he captured hers. The high school sweethearts married in 1955. Their adventure began immediately. They moved several times and worked several jobs to pay the bills.

Phyllis’ resume included unique experiences. She spent time working for Macy’s. She constructed TV tubes for Sylvania when they lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma. But one of her favorite jobs was working as a secretary for the Bureau of the Blind. One day, Don and Phyllis felt called to be caretakers at the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in Brighton, Missouri. Phyllis cooked and cleaned for 21 boys; including two of her own. After two years, the Lord closed that door and opened a new one, the grocery business, but not Carney’s.

Their first grocery store was in Miller, Missouri. Then they moved back to Kansas City to work another grocery store. That’s where Phyllis found her dream home, but two months after moving in, God called them to a new adventure. On July 1, 1965, 10 years after the couple said, “I Do”, the young family moved to Osceola, Mo. This is where the family planted roots and grew.

Phyllis loved Jesus. She relied on Him through each move and new adventure. She shared His love to others teaching Sunday school for more than 50 years. She was never shy to talk about the Lord and if you came to the house, Gospel music or sermons were always playing in the background.

She also loved her family. The Lord blessed Don and Phyllis with five boys: Mark, Matt, David, Danny and Paul. Next came daughters-in-law, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and countless dogs. Her family tree blossomed, and she made sure each of her loved ones knew about God’s grace.

The Lord took her home on September 1, 2018. She is survived by her family; along with her sister Marion Wheeler and brother Charlie Gabel. She was preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Emma Gabel; along with her oldest sister Delores Weir.