Carolyn Sue Verge

Carolyn Sue (James) Verge, 85, passed peacefully at Eagle Estates in Independence, Kansas on Friday, April 11. She was born on February 16, 1940, at Mercy Hospital to Carl Edward and Lucille (Morrison) James. She grew up on an oil lease west of Wayside, Kansas. She graduated from Wayside High School in 1958 as the valedictorian of her class. She graduated from Independence Community Junior College in 1960 and worked in the Personnel Office at Electra Manufacturing Co. during that time.

On September 17, 1960, she married the love of her life, Richard Allen Verge. There were four children born to this union: Michelle Renee, Marsha Lea, Richard Allen Jr., and Misty Dawn. Richard and Carolyn were married for 57 years until his death in 2017.

Carolyn was a mother and housewife while her children were growing up. She did alterations for Calvert’s Department Store and babysat during this time. In 1988, she went back to work at Deshon’s Fabric Store. In the fall of that year, she went to work for USD 446 as a Teacher’s Aide. Later, she was promoted to the time-out room and was there until she retired in 2014. She worked at Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson schools.

Richard and Carolyn started square dancing in 1969. Carolyn made square dance clothes for the whole family. The youngest, Rick and Misty, went to square dances when they were less than a week old. Carolyn was still a member of the Promenade Club in Coffeyville.

Those left to cherish her memory are Michelle Blankenship of Independence, Rick (Emily) Verge of Cherryvale, Misty Gill of Cherryvale, and Jaxon Thomas of Greenville, Alabama. Grandchildren Matthew (Karlie) Blakenship, Anthony (Jade) Verge, Macy (Adam) Whitsett, Emma Ingram, Kortland (Lexi) Verge, Madison (Trent) Meeks, Menley Gill, Mia Verge, and Ryland and Abigail Russell. Great grandchildren Jaxon and Mason Blankenship, Riley Whitsett, Asher Ingram, Calvin Lerch, Holden Verge and two unborn, Lewis Whitsett and Ezra Meeks, sister Judy Schrader and brother Earl (Ann) James. Willis (Georganna) Verge, Tom (Vera) Verge and Martha Jo Verge, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Independence and the Willing Workers Sunday School Class.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Richard, daughter Marsha, her mother and father, her brother Carl, and her in-laws.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 17, at Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas from 5pm-8pm. Services will be held 10am Friday, April 18, at First Southern Baptist Church in Independence, Kansas. Donations can be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202.