Carol Darlene Atherton

Carol was born on December 22, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, to her birth mother Jacqueline Virginia Brady. She was raised with love and care by Cecil H. Wood and Florence E. Wood (Ballinger). She graduated from Oak Grove High School in 1959. She worked in banking for many years for Commerce Bank, UMB, and Greyhound Central Credit Union. She was married to James E. Atherton, who survives her.

Carol was a loyal and avid fan of the Kansas City Royals. She loved to travel and visited many places, such as Route 66, Niagara Falls on both the Canadian and American sides, and Mexico. She enjoyed boating and being near the water, even though she couldn't swim.

She was preceded in death by her sister Patty Eklund (Dean); her son, David Friend; her stepsons, Kevin Atherton and James Atherton II; her grandchildren, Stevie Friend and Myland Hansen.

She is survived by her brother Frank Brady (Carina); her children, Doug Friend, Denise Coyazo (John), and Dianne Friend-Adams; her grandchildren, Nick Coyazo (Korie), Amy Coyazo Hansen, Chrystal Friend Sherwood, Elizabeth Friend, Colin Adams, Tyler Atherton, and Samantha Atherton; her great-grandchildren, Hallie Coyazo, Daisy Coyazo, Sophia Coyazo, Mackenzie Hansen, JR Hansen, Jakob Hansen, and Serenity Lee Fife; along with many other relatives and friends who will miss her deeply.

A memorial service for Carol will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol's honor and memory can be made to Hope House at www.hopehouse.net (notate honoree as Carol D. Atherton). Hope House is a domestic violence shelter that provides comprehensive services to survivors of abuse.

Carol's family would like to thank all the friends and caregivers who assisted her during this difficult time: Ted and Pam Luce, Angelita Costales, Eric Anderson, Crossroads Hospice, Phoenix Home Health Care, and All Ways Caring HomeCare. They would also like to give a special "Thank you" to nephew Charlie and niece Susan Booth as well as great-nephew James Bullard for praying with her and the anointing she received. You were a blessing to her, and she appreciated you so much.

A grateful thank you to Ted Luce, Bob Walkenhorst, Chaplain Paula, and Chaplain Barry for their gift of music that brought peace and comfort to all.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilleySheil.com for the Atherton family.