Carolyn (Gaines) Nelson

Life’s Reflections

Carolyn Gaines Nelson was born in Kansas City, Kansas, March 9, 1938 to James and Lolabelle (Shelton) Gaines.  

She graduated from Sumner High School in 1956.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State College in 1960.   She also received a teaching certificate from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.   Carol taught several years in the Kansas City, Kansas, Milwaukee, and Kansas City, Missouri School Districts.   She received certification in Library Science and as a reading specialist.

Carolyn spent 40+ years in education as a librarian.   She earned a Master’s degree in Information Systems before retirement.   After retirement she worked as a librarian and reading specialist at DeLasalle and the Kansas City, Missouri Juvenile Detention Center.

At an early age she joined First A.M.E. Church and was active in various organizations.  While in college at Pittsburg, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  She was a member of the Geace’ Girls Club, an organization that her joyful and happy mother was one of the founding members in 1928.

On November 11, 1979, she gave birth to April Lynette Nelson.  For 32 years her total focus was on April until July 17, 2012 when April gave birth to Hunter, her only grandchild.   Hunter was the joy of her life.

Preceded her in death were her parents, niece, Cheryl Hemphill and brother-in-law, Lonnell Pennington.

She leaves her daughter, April Bovance (Chris); grandson, Hunter Bovance; Sisters, Janette Hopkins (Richard); and Phyllis Pennington; nephew, Carlos Merriam; niece, Felicia Pennington; first cousins, Melba Dudley Curls; Carlotta Shelton; and Willard Shelton; a special friend, Rosie Garrett Garner; and a host of friends and other family members.

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