Carolyn J. Hedgecock

CAROLYN JEAN HEDGECOCK

Carolyn Jean Hedgecock, 84, Greenwood, MO, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. She was born in Columbia, MO on February 26, 1941. Her parents were Earl Ray Lévêl, Beryl Elizabeth Giesler, and step-fathers Henry LaBaron Giesler and Donald Rasmussen. 

On June 5, 1970, she married the love of her life, John Franklin Hedgecock. They were days away from celebrating their 55th anniversary. Together, they forged a life of service engaging their children in 4-H, serving in offices within the Masonic Order, and supporting Longview Alumni Foundation. They enjoyed square dancing for Santa Fe Trailers. 

Their two-bedroom farm home was often overflowing with children. It was the place to be because Carolyn welcomed everyone and prepared meals sufficient to feed a neighborhood. Aside from their three children, JayLynn Cullison, Dereck Allbee, and LaShell Tinder, they raised a nephew as their own, Timothy Hedgecock. When their lives should have settled down as empty nesters, the house was always full with family or friends staying when children, grandchildren, and friends found themselves needing a place to live.

Before retiring to a life of full time wife and mother, Carolyn worked as a waitress, bank account manager, and assistant professor. Carolyn earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice and Masters in Gerontology. She was an artist and enjoyed painting with family members. Her work was wispy with the feeling of movement, whether it was water or wind. Carolyn also had a beautiful voice and won a competition singing Brandy.

With a strong commitment to service following in the footsteps of generations before her, Carolyn often held roles of leadership in Order of the Eastern Star including the highest office as Worthy Grand Matron. She was active in the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, and the Amaranth Order of Eastern Star.

Their regular involvement in the Order were some of John and Carolyn’s best years as they traveled across the country attending meetings. With an adventurous spirit, they would plan vacations to see new sights, visit with friends and family, and enjoy national parks. 

Carolyn was the matriarch of a large and diverse family with a plethora of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by all her children and their families. Carolyn’s sisters, Muriel Kay Wright and Mary Lou Talmage and brother William Ray Giesler preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother Thomas LaBaron Giesler.

John, JayLynn, Ronald Cullison, Dereck, LaShell, Galen Tinder, Timothy, and Lucy Hedgecock are deeply grateful for the love and support of family and friends.

The family of Carolyn Jean Hedgecock will receive friends from 5:00 – 6:30 P.M. Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Wallace Funeral Home, 422 N. Lake Street, Pleasant Hill, Missouri. An Order of the Eastern Star Service, conducted by Ivy Leaf Chapter #215, will immediately follow at 6:30 P.M. Funeral Service for Carolyn Jean Hedgecock will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the Wallace Funeral Home with Galen Tinder officiating. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.