We are sad to announce the passing of Carol Lee Crabtree Barclay of Springfield, Missouri, who died on August 9th at the age of 90. She leaves behind her loving husband of 73 years, Glenn Erna Barclay, her daughters Shelly (Buz) Nunnally (Southern Shores, NC), Joy (Stewart) Koesten (Boynton Beach, FL), Glenda Barclay (Springfield) and Audrey Barclay (Springfield), her grandchildren Leah Koesten (Nashville), Natalie Hoskins (Thom) (Murfreesboro), and Anna Adkins (RJ) (Ozark), and her great grandchildren Nikko and Arthur Hoskins (Murfreesboro), and Rowyn and Luna Adkins (Ozark), her brother John Crabtree (Beverly)(Springfield), and dozens of nieces and nephews across the country. All of whom will miss her greatly.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Tressie Crabtree of Springfield, her sister Barbara (Bobbie), of Marionville, and her sister Mildred Ruble, of Lebanon.

The daughter of migrant workers, Carol was born in the midst of the Great Depression on July 19, 1933, in Marionville, Missouri. Scarcity of work forced her family to move frequently throughout her early years. In spite of attending 11 different schools during her school years, Carol graduated in 1951 as Valedictorian from Central High School in Springfield, Missouri.

After marrying Glenn and while raising four daughters, Carol would go on to be the first person in her family to go to college. She graduated cum laude from Southwest Missouri State University in 1970 with a degree in Elementary Education and went on to earn her Masters Degree in Education from Drury College in 1974. Later, she attended the University of Kansas to pursue her Doctorate. Though she did not finish a dissertation, education and the pursuit of knowledge remained an important focal point throughout her life.

Carol taught elementary school for 18 years, serving students at Study Elementary and Boyd Elementary. After retiring from teaching, Carol owned and operated her family business, A Storage Place, for 20 years. A staunch feminist and advocate for human rights, Carol served on the Springfield Human Rights Commission for many years.

Carol enjoyed going to the theatre, traveling, bowling, playing tennis, golf, watching her favorite basketball team The Missouri State Bears, and of course, her happy hour. An avid reader and life long learner, Carol surrounded herself with a small band of like-minded women who dubbed themselves "The Great Minds." Together, they shared a love of literature, lectures, friendship, and a good gin and tonic, all of which nourished her through her final days.

Carol worked hard all her life. She loved her family and friends. She was smart, tenacious, and didn't suffer fools. Qualities she passed on to three generations, and for that we are forever grateful.