Sybil Lethco Carmichael passed away peacefully with her two sons by her side on Thursday morning, October 3 ^rd , at the age of 102, just two months away from her 103 ^rd birthday.  She was born on December 4 ^th , 1916, near Ava, Missouri, the daughter of Joe and Mattie Lethco.  She graduated from Ava High School in 1934, attended State Teachers College (now Missouri State University), and taught in a one room school until joining the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1943.  She served her country honorably as a Petty Officer for 33 months during World War II in San Diego, California.  There she met her future husband, Lloyd Carmichael, a Navy sailor, and they married on Coronado Island.  After the war, they settled in the Midwest and had two sons, Joe and David, both of whom served in the Navy as well.  Fiercely patriotic, she was a charter member of "Women in Military Service for America" and was present for the dedication of the Women's World War II Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery on October 18,1997, accompanied by her son Joe.  She attended Draughon Business College on the G.I. Bill, studying accounting, and worked as a bookkeeper until retirement.  After retirement, she worked many elections as a Greene County election judge.  A longtime member of Temple Baptist Church, she had a strong and unwavering faith.  She was loved by family and friends and will be sorely missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband.  She is survived by her sons Joe (Marie) Carmichael and David (Karen) Carmichael.  Grandchildren include Laura (John) Mullins, Dr. Joseph (Liz) Carmichael, Dr. Katy (Andy) Coulson, Madison (Alan) McGinnis, Audrey (Grant) Koettel, as well as five great grandchildren, Elizabeth Mullins, Evan Carmichael, A.J. Coulson, Grayson Miller, and Maeve McGinnis.  Also surviving is one sister-in-law, Lodean Lethco Schultz, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  A private family service will be held on Monday, October 7 ^th at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Integrity Hospice, 2960 N. Eastgate, Springfield, MO 65803, in memory of Sybil.  The family would like to thank the staff at The Manor as well as caregivers from Integrity Hospice.

A woman of faith and humor, reflecting on her own death, she penned the following poem:
Going Home
As I fade away like the last rose of summer,
To hang on here would be such a bummer
So when I quit this mortal shore and mosey round this earth no more
Don't stand around me looking blue
"I may be better off than you".