Carolyn Sue Barkley

Carolyn Sue (Turner) Barkley, 87, passed away peacefully in her home on July 1, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on June 22, 1938, in Brookfield, Missouri, Carolyn was the only child of Ofelita Turner and Norman Richardson.

Carolyn made her home in Kansas City and Olathe, Kansas, before settling in Apache Junction, Arizona—a place she truly loved, nestled near the beautiful Superstition Mountains. She spent more than 30 years working as a dispatcher for A&P and Fleming Foods, where she also met her soulmate, James “Bob” Barkley. They shared 38 wonderful years of marriage, filled with love, laughter, and dedication to family.

A proud member of the Moose Lodge Chapter #1562 since 2011, Carolyn lived life with a bold spirit and a warm heart. She had a deep love for animals, especially horses, and a lifelong passion for Westerns, cowboy culture, and Native American artifacts. Elvis always had a special place in her heart. She found joy in the little things—red roses, turquoise jewelry, shopping trips, getting her hair done, going to the casino, and relaxing with a Crown Royal and Marlboro Red 100’s in hand.

Carolyn was many things to many people: a devoted wife, a loving mother, a proud grandmother, and a strong, supportive presence in the lives of those she loved. Through every high and low, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her children. One of her proudest roles was raising her great-granddaughter Karlie as her own for 12 years, pouring her heart into the next generation.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ofelita and Norman Richardson; her beloved husband, Bob Barkley; three grandchildren: Melissa, Tiana, and Tamara; and a great-grandson, Kyle.

Carolyn’s memory lives on through her children: Tina Verwers, Tamie (Tony) Ybarra, and Todd Hurtado; her grandchildren: Veronica, Tanesha, Rachel, Chanell, Jacob, Vanessa, and Tara; and her great-grandchildren: Domenicke, Dmitriuz, Izabella, Sophia, Juan Jr., and Karlie.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carolyn’s life on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, 701 N 94th St, Kansas City, KS 66112. She will be laid to rest afterward in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.