Carol Sue Fairchild was born on September 17, 1943 in Lexington, Missouri to Bernie N. Fairchild, Sr. and Clara Jaspering Fairchild, the tenth of eleven children. She lived her entire life in Lafayette County. Carol died on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Independence.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her parents, two sisters, Baby Bertha Fairchild and Juliet Fleischman, brothers Bernie N. Jr., Emmet, and William. She is survived by brothers Bobby, Elko, GA, Elmer (R’Dell) Flemington, and Don (Versailles) and sisters Helen Draisey, Higginsville,and Shirley Smith (Jim), Richmond. Several nieces and nephews also preceded her in death and many more survive and are scattered throughout the United States.
Carol graduated from Lexington High School in 1961. She enjoyed keeping up with many of her classmates. Following graduation Carol moved to Independence and lived with brother Don while working at BMA in Kansas City. Later she was employed in the Purchasing department at Lake City. Several years later Carol was hired to lead the Missouri State Licensing Bureau in Lexington. It is here that she met Harold Soendker when he came in to purchase tags for farm equipment.
Carol and Harold were wed on August 14,1976 in the Greenton Church. Her sister Shirley and Jim Smith stood up with them. They lived on the family farm near Napoleon. In the late ‘80’s they bought a near-by farm from Harold’s aunt. Carol’s nephew, Kerry Watts, remodeled the house for them. Carol loved living on the farm and being a part of all that entailed—doing whatever was needed. Carol continued to live on their farm after Harold’s death on August 16, 2017. She was pleased when part of their farm was designated a “Century Farm” in 2018 and most excited when Harold’s cousin Brent Soendker erected the sign! Following their semi-retirement from farming Carol and Harold had a farm supply business. In the early ‘90’s they purchased a vending route. Most days they were up before dawn driving their route in mid-west-central Missouri. They worked hard at this, but also made many friends. They sold C & H vending just prior to Harold’s death.
Carol and Harold were true partners in their marriage not only in their work
but in pursuing their interests of collecting various items of glassware. Carol continued this interest these last few years with the help of cherished friends Norma and Melvin Lampton (Bates City). Carol and Harold were members of First Baptist Church of Oak Grove. They greatly enjoyed the fellowship and friendships that were developed in their Sunday School class. Following Harold’s death Carol became a faithful volunteer in the church office one day a week.
Visitation and the funeral service will both take place at Carol’s church. The visitation will be Tuesday evening, May 25, 2021 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. The funeral service will be on Wednesday morning, May 26, 2021 at 10:00am led by Pastor Randy Messer. Interment will follow at Greenton Cemetery Odessa, Missouri. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the memorial fund at First Baptist Church of Oak Grove, 400 SE 14th Street, Oak Grove, MO 64075.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441