Carley Francis Whiteis

Carley Francis (Back) Whiteis, daughter of W.T. and Gladys (Meadows) Back,

was born February 2, 1926, in Oswego, Kansas. Carley was the oldest of three

children. Her two brothers, James (JD) Back of Woodinville, WA and John

(Kathy) of Springfield, MO survive their older sister. Carley passed away on

December 31, 2018 at the age of 92 years and 11 months. She was preceded

in death by her parents and husband Howard.

At the age of 5, Carley and her family moved to Logan Ridge located in

Christian County Missouri. Later, Carley and her family moved to Christian

Center, to a house her father built when she was about 8 years old. Carley often

reminisced about her time spent at the house reading and doing chores. She,

like her mother, was an avid reader, gifted writer and storyteller. She loved to

share stories about family and memories growing up. She also enjoyed talking

about politics. Carley often shared that she was a really good girl growing up.

She followed all the rules and was home every night. Her only vice was

sneaking in a late night read after lights should be out.

Carley graduated from Ozark High School, in 1943. Upon graduation, she

moved to Forsyth where she worked as a clerk-typist at the Welfare office. She

shared an apartment with her friend Mary Nell, who later introduced her to her

future husband. On August 31,1946, Carley married Howard Whiteis. Most of

their married life was spent in the Branson-Hollister area, where they raised

their four sons. Carley worked as a record keeper in Skaggs Hospital located in

Branson. In 2002, Carley and Howard moved to Springfield, MO, where Carley

was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.

Besides her two brothers, Carley is survived by her four sons: Gary (Shirley),

Springfield, Ron (Jill), Overland Park, KS, Mike (Joy), Walla Walla, WA, and

Doug of Springfield; three grandsons, Jamie (Kristi), Brad (Mindy), Marcus

(Susan) and one granddaughter, Jennifer. Her great grandchildren include,

great grandsons, Tyler, Ethan and Jourdain. Adrianna is her only great

granddaughter and considers herself Grandma Carley’s personal favorite.

Carley was a woman of great intelligence and in any other generation, would

have been a very successful career woman. She faithfully fulfilled her chosen

role as wife, mother and daughter. For the last ten years of Howard’s life,

Carley’s only desire was to outlive Howard so he would have someone to look

after him. Carley was a loving caregiver, by his side until the end.

Domestic chores and cooking were not among her favorite activities, but she

was an immaculate housekeeper and could make the most amazing fried

chicken and potato salad.

Carley never learned to drive a car, but she personally trained each of her 4

boys to be good drivers as she sat in the passenger seat beside each honed

his skills, driving to church, grocery shopping and dentist appointments

We will miss the Grandma Carley we all knew and loved, but we rejoice that

she is now in the presence of Jesus, reunited with Pa.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

Graveside services will be Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. in Helphrey Cemetery, Taneyville, Missouri.

Memorials in Carley’s honor may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 1202, Branson, MO  65615.

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