Carlene Lavee Hatfield

Carlene Hatfield

Carlene Hatfield, 85, of Unionville, MO, passed away peacefully at her home in Unionville on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, after a brief battle with cancer.

Carlene Lavee (Lynch) Hatfield was born in Graysville, MO, on September 4, 1928, the daughter of Carl and Lemma (Croft) Lynch, who preceded her in death. She attended rural Putnam County schools and then graduated from Unionville High School in 1945. She began teaching in rural schools in Putnam County after graduation and then she married Dale Dwight Hatfield on April 6, 1946. He preceded her in death on May 31, 1993. To this union were born two daughters, Carol Lavee (Hatfield) Vestal of Aledo, TX and Amber Dale Hatfield of Unionville, MO.

Carlene taught in rural schools for a few years while attending Kirksville State Teachers College (now Truman University). She then worked 30 years as a case worker for the Missouri State Division of Family Services in Unionville, MO, retiring on September 30, 1990. Carlene exemplified a caring spirit in her work as she helped numerous people. She had that same spirit with everyone she met.

Carlene enjoyed quilting, crocheting, reading, and playing cards with friends. She was also an avid walker and could be seen walking all around Unionville. She helped worked as an election judge for a number of years as well as collecting at the Unionville Cemetery on Memorial Day. She was a member of the Parkview Church of Christ.
In addition to her daughters, there are two surviving granddaughters, Vicky Jo (Robert) Danielson of Davenport, IA, and Melody Dawn Vestal of Grapevine, TX; and two surviving grandsons, Randy Layne (Roni) Tilden and Colby Dale Tilden both of Unionville, MO. Eight great-grandchildren also survive: Andrew (Erin) Mitchell, Davenport, IA; Jordan Wear (Austin Tucker), Prairieburg, IA; Madison Harbour, Davenport, IA; Cailey Buckallew (Stephen Miller), Bedford, TX; Taylor and Shay Tilden, Unionville MO; and Redgy and Payton Tilden of Unionville, MO. She is also survived by one great-great grandson, Rylen Miller and one great-great granddaughter, Mackenzie Miller with another great-great grandson on the way. A sister, Rowena Buster and her husband Jackie of Unionville, MO survive as well as a brother-in-law, Jim McBee.

Others who preceded Carlene in death are a sister Ramona (Lynch) McBee, son-in-law Keith Vestal and a granddaughter Kimberly Renee Vestal in 1968.

A quote from her great-granddaughter, Madison summarizes family sentiments, “Grandma Carlene may be gone, but it is our job as her family and friends to remember her and keep her close with us as we know she will always be with us!”

Graveside services for Carlene Hatfield will be at the Unionville Cemetery in Unionville, MO, at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 25, 2014. There will be no visitation.

Memorials are suggested to the Parkview Church of Christ and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.