Carolyn K. Metcalf passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020, at the
Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, KS, at the age of 82. She was
born to Harold and Estella (Bane) Gilliland on December 31, 1937 in
Plainville. She was united in marriage to William L. Greenwood of
Carlton, KS in 1956 and was blessed with three children: Debra, Craig,
and Bret. The union was dissolved after 16 years. Carolyn married Donald
E. Metcalf on March 31, 1978 and added to her family, four
step-children: Michael, Andrew, David, and Rachael.
Carolyn was born and raised in Plainville. She attended Plainville
High School, where she was drum majorette and homecoming attended,
graduating with the class of 1955. She continued her education at Fort
Hays State University for one year, married William, then started a
family while William finished his degree at Kansas State University.
The couple and two children moved around Kansas while William was an Ag
teacher (Osborne), then 4-H Agent (Eureka), then county agent in Scott
City for a number of years. Carolyn finished her education in Manhattan,
KS, earning her Cosmetology Degree from Crum’s Beauty College in 1966
while William completed his Masters degree. They then returned to Scott
City for three (3) years, where Bret was born, and subsequently moved to
Topeka, KS. In 1973, she and William divorced. Across time, she was a
hair dresser, SOC clerk for SW Bell, mom, wife, volunteer, member of
sorority, taught twirling lessons, and hostess extraordinaire. In
Topeka she met and married Donald in 1978 and they enjoyed 40 years
together. During that time, they lived in Topeka and Hoyt. When Donald
retired, they wintered multiple times in Gainesville, FL with Debra and
Darci. Then, they moved to Apache Junction, AZ to be close to Craig
and his family for a few years. Upon departing Apache Junction, their
sojourn brought them to Plainville in 2008.
Carolyn was a woman of faith and love. No matter where she moved,
she found a home in a church. She was raised Methodist, and attended
Methodist churches during the children’s developmental years. After
marrying Donald, they then became long-term members of Fairlawn Heights
Weslyan Church, members of Grace Point in Hoyt, Corner Stone Church in
Apache Junction, and lastly the Nazarene Church in Plainville. She was a
talented cosmetologist and was meticulous in all areas of her life;
whether it was working on a client’s looks, her own appearance, her
home, entertaining or hosting guests — everything she did had to be just
right. Carolyn was a loving and devoted mother and wife. She cooked,
cleaned, and when she wasn’t doing that Carolyn enticed the family,
neighbors, and friends to join in on playing any and all board games,
card games, or doing intellectually challenging puzzles. She will never
be forgotten for her warm and welcoming hospitality.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Estella Gilliland; and brother, Ronald Gilliland.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband Donald of the home in
Plainville; children, Debra A. Newell of Gainsville, FL, Craig (Sheila)
Greenwood of Chandler, AZ, and Bret Greenwood of Plainville;
step-children, Michael (Susanne) Metcalf of Topeka, KS, Andrew (Karen)
Metcalf of Topeka, KS, David (Lisa) Metcalf of Saginaw, TX, and Rachael
(Matt) Boyd of Tulsa, OK; brother, Barry (Donna) Gilliland of
Plainville; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Gilliland (Ronald) of Plainville;
fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30 from 6PM to 8PM
at the Plumer-Overlease funeral home. The family will be hosting a
Memorial Service at the Nazarene Church in Plainville on Thursday,
December 31 at 5PM with a “Home Going Celebration” from 4 PM until 6 PM.
in Plainville. Options for online attendance will be available through
social media by family.
Memorials are suggested to Nazarene Church and may be sent in care
of, Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.