Carol Joyce (Southard) McMinn

Carol Joyce McMinn of St. James, Missouri passed away at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, MO on Thursday, December 28, 2017.  She was 71 years, 3 months, and 18 days of age.

Carol was born on September 10, 1946 to her parents Clarence L. and Helen L. Brown Southard in Maries County, MO. She lived on her family's farm her entire life and loved the country life. 

She attended the one room Lacy School through the eighth grade and graduated from Rolla High School in 1964. She enjoyed attending her high school reunions and catching up with her old friends.

Carol was united in marriage to the love of her life, Robert McMinn on March 5, 1971 in Rolla, MO. They have a daughter and son, Lori McMinn Hill and Michael McMinn.

Carol went to work at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in 1964 and retired January 1, 2017 after 52 years of service. She loved her work and the many lifelong friends she made there.

Her pastimes were cooking, gardening, and feeding the wild birds. She was a wonderful cook and loved to share her talent with her family and friends. She even published her own cookbook for her children and grandchildren titled “Granny’s Famous Recipes.” 

Carol loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spoiled them as often as possible. She had a special place in her heart for “Baby Cohen,” her first great grandson and always wanted to know how he was and what new things he’d learned. She always wanted to take care of everyone and make them happy. 

She was a former member of the Broadway Baptist Church and current a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church. She will be greatly missed by all her church family.

Carol is survived by her husband of the home for 46 years, Robert McMinn, daughter Lori Hill and husband Timothy of Leavenworth, KS, sister Connie Dixon and significant other Jim Hall of Vichy, MO, brother Clarence Southard, Jr. and wife Dee of St. James, MO, granddaughter Jessica McRae, husband Chad, and their son, Cohen, of Kansas City, KS, brother-in-law Clinton McMinn and wife Dorothy of Rolla, MO, sister-in-law Nina Barks of Bakersfield, CA, stepson Michael McMinn of Newburg, MO, granddaughter Stacia Pleimann, husband Mike and their son River of St. James, MO, along with several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Preceding Carol in death are her parents Clarence L. and Helen L. Brown Southard, and brothers Carl and Charles Kossuth.

Visitation for Carol McMinn will be held on Sunday, December 31, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

Memorial Service will be conducted following the visitation at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO with Pastor Dave Scudder officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Timothy Hill, Christopher Kean, Chad McRae, and Carl Lackey. Songs will be “Go Rest High on That Mountain”, “I'll Fly Away” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. 

Memorials may be made to Macedonia Baptist Church or to Broadway Baptist Church.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

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