Carol Jean Rabourn passed away peacefully on August 16 ^th , 2022, in Springfield, MO.  She was 87 years old.  She was born December 8 ^th , 1934, in St Louis, MO to Rev. Clarence and Bessie Smith.  Carol was the beloved mother of two children, William Rabourn, Jr (Bill) of Springfield, MO, and Sheri Stevenson of Sedalia.

Carol was a graduate of Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in Springfield (now known as MSU).  She spent most of her career in Sedalia, MO teaching first at Sacred Heart Elementary School and later at Sedalia Elementary Public School System.  She was loved by so many of her former students.   She later retired to Springfield, MO and became a part-time tutor.  She worked with a small group of retired schoolteachers and enjoyed tutoring well into her 80 ^th year, she worked with many young and eager learners, she often commented on how rewarding it was to work with these little people.

Carol also enjoyed volunteering at Hammonds Performing Arts Center and was able to enjoy many productions there.  She loved the live entertainment.  She also volunteered at the Schweitzer Food Pantry.  She was always willing to lend a hand wherever she could, she had a very kind and giving heart.  Always fiercely supportive of those she loved, she possessed a sharp sense of humor and was very strong in her faith, instilled in her at a very young age by her father, a Methodist minister, and her mother.

Carol is survived by her son, Bill Rabourn and wife, Cindy, daughter Sheri Stevenson, Sedalia. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Peterson, also of Springfield, MO.  She was a proud grandmother to her four grandchildren, William III (Tripp), Chase Rabourn, Traci Spencer, and Brad Rabourn. She enjoyed being a great grandmother to four, Elayna Rabourn, Savannah Spencer, Zayne Rabourn, and Trinity Rabourn. She is also survived by her niece and nephew, Teri and Scott Peterson.

We will celebrate her life on Friday, August 19 ^th at 11:00am at Schweitzer Methodist Church. There will be a luncheon to follow in the reception area.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Public Schools Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.gormanscharpf.com.

The family would like to give special thanks to her caregivers over the past several months, Holly Eskridge, Melissa Manzer and Integrity Hospice.  They made Carol's last months as comfortable as possible by offering companionship and gentle care.