Carolyn LaCene Kingsbury

Carolyn LaCene Kingsbury 1933 - 2024 Carolyn Kingsbury, aged 91, a missionary, educator, wife, and mother, peacefully passed away at her residence in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota on October 21,2024. Born June 11,1933 in Murphysboro, Illinois, to Rolla and Dale (Doty) Reeder, Carolyn dedicated her life to service, education, and her family. Growing up in a Christian household, Carolyn developed a deep faith at an early age. After moving to East St. Louis in 1942, she became actively involved in her Methodist church youth group and distinguished herself through music, participating in choirs and singing groups. She graduated from East St. Louis High School in 1951 and attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, where she earned her B.A. in Education and History in 1955. During her junior year at Asbury, she met her husband, Robert John Kingsbury. Their shared calling to missionary work and medical ministry led to a marriage that would span decades of service across multiple continents. They were married in East Saint Louis on June 2, 1956, just four days after Bob's graduation. While Bob attended medical school at the University of Michigan, Carolyn taught school and earned her Master's in Education. The Kingsbury's mission work took them around the world, beginning in the Panama Canal Zone (1960-1964), followed by extensive service in Liberia, Africa (1965-1973). In Liberia, Carolyn taught at the Ganta United Methodist Mission, where she directed the school choir and introduced the first piano to that region of the country. Her dedication to education extended to teaching Bible studies, remedial reading, and the Calvert Course to both missionary and Liberian children, including those in the Ganta Leper Colony. After returning to the United States in 1973, Carolyn and Bob settled in St. Charles, Missouri, where their home became a center for Bible studies and fellowship through the Christian Medical & Dental Association. In 2014, they relocated to Minnesota to be closer to family. Throughout her life, Carolyn served others through teaching, music, and Christian ministry. She traveled extensively with mission groups, including a memorable trip with a women's trio where she performed at the first World Congress of Youth for Christ. Though she accomplished many things in her life and traveled the world, Carolyn was most known for small acts of kindness done with great love. Carolyn's greatest legacy was her trust in the Lord and her love of family, including her five children: Mary Beth Schwagel (Chuck), Becky Gatton (Steve),Bonny Thiesen (Ron), Bob (Michelle), and Bill. Her legacy continues through her 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sister-in-law Marlene Doran and her many cherished nieces and nephews. Carolyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob, her sister and brother-in-law, Ida Lee and Ed Mitchell, her parents, Rolla and Dale Reeder, her mother and father-in-law Arly and Nellie Kingsbury, and sister-in-laws Vesta Kingsbury and Mary Ann Finch. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Tributes

Carolyn LaCene Kingsbury

June 11, 1933 - October 21, 2024

Tributes

Carolyn LaCene Kingsbury

June 11, 1933 - October 21, 2024

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