Jeanie Karnes

Jeanie Karnes, age 77, a resident of Braymer, MO, lost her battle with heart problems and CLL Leukemia on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. She was born to Bailey A. and Marie (Qualls) Winfrey on Nov. 8, 1941, in Dewitt.

When Jeanie was six months old, three of the four siblings were placed in the care of Bailey’s parents, Fred and Lena Winfrey, where they lived for six years. She and two of her three siblings would become wards of the court, where they lived with several foster families. Jeanie lived with a total of four foster care families in Plymouth, Meadville, and Laclede, before being accepted to the School of the Ozarks in 1954. She graduated in May of 1959 and won a gold watch because of her academic and scholastic improvements over the years.

After graduation, she moved to Kansas City, where she met and married Rex K. Karnes. To that union were born two children, Karen Kay and Curtis Mark. She finally had “her own home and someone to love and someone to love her back.” She loved her children and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Her children were the “reason for my being” and she loved them dearly. She and Rex divorced in 1995. Later Jeanie met and married Orvalle Hammonds; he passed away seven months later.

Her working career consisted of Vance Publishing, 3-M Company, Christenson, Barclay & Shaw Advertising, where she served as an Account Executive for several years prior to helping form Mission Advertising, where she was Vice President for five years. She traveled the USA and Canada calling on toy manufacturers, jobbers, and she negotiated millions of dollars of advertising dollars with TV and radio stations. Jeanie was written up in Who’s Who of American Women. Her working career ended in 1995 after years of struggling with Cardio Myopathy and V-Tach. In 2014 she was diagnosed with CLL Leukemia.

In February of 2010, Jeanie moved to Braymer because the Lord told her to “come to Braymer!!” For that, many of us are truly grateful and blessed! She joined the First Baptist Church on June 12, 2011, and she loved serving our Lord Jesus Christ and felt blessed to be a Christian. One of her many ministries were sending cards and notes of love and encouragement to countless people. Her longtime friend and cardiologist, Dr. Brick Rigden, told her, “14 hugs daily to sustain.” She concurred and passed out and collected as many hugs as possible! Jeanie was well known for her hugs and cards.

Survivors include her daughter, Karen K. Karnes-Quinn (Shannon); son, Curtis M. Karnes (JoAnne); sister, Fern Roe (Harold Glenn); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dewey Winfrey and Roy Winfrey; and nephew, John Roe.

A celebration of life will be held at the First Baptist Church in Braymer on Friday, Jan. 18, at 10:00 a.m. There is no scheduled visitation. Friends may call at the Lindley Pitts Funeral Home in Braymer on Thursday, Jan. 17, from noon until 5:00 p.m. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church in Braymer – Benevolence Fund, and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P. O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Pitts Funeral Home in Braymer.

(paid obituary)

The Caldwell County News

101 South Davis
P.O. Box 218
Hamilton, MO 64644
Phone: 816-583-2116
news@mycaldwellcounty.com

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