Carolyn Jean Rex

Carolyn Jean (Workman) Rex (84) passed away on September 9, 2023, at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri as the result of a major stroke. She was born April 14, 1939, to the late Clarence (AKA Shorty) and Dorothy Workman of Bonaparte, IA.

She is survived by her husband John Rex of Fulton, MO; daughter Jeanne (Rick) Hopkins of Vancouver, WA; daughter Julie Owen of Fulton, MO; son Jeff (Sara) Rex of Fulton, MO; sister-in-law Trudy Workman of Keosauqua, IA; brother-in-law Jay Rex of Bonaparte, IA; and like-a-sister Joan Sampson of Fulton, MO. She is also survived by her 12 grand and great grandchildren: Caleb Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Jared Owen, Anna Hopkins, Rachel Owen, Gage Rex, Taylynn Rex, Audrey Owen, Alaina Owen, Jensen Owen, Kaitlyn Gordon, and Joel Mendez-Hopkins as well as many loved nieces, nephews, other family and loved friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Dorothy Workman, brother Clarence (Bobby) Workman, sister Vicki (Lee) Beggs, sister Cathy Workman, brother-in-law Joe (Sue) Rex, brother-in-law Jim Rex, and son-in-law Carl Owen.

John and Carolyn were married 64 years ago on June 14, 1959, at the Baptist Church in Bonaparte, IA. After getting married, they moved to Ames, IA, and after John’s graduation, they moved to Charles City, IA where John worked for Oliver Tractors. They moved briefly from there to Hopkins, MN before finally settling in Fulton, where John worked for Danuser Machine Company, and she took classes at William Woods studying music.

Carolyn actively raised her three children and worked in church teaching Sunday School, leading children’s choir, teaching AWANA, going on lay renewals, visiting nursing homes, preparing funeral dinners and organizing church banquets, balancing the accounting books, singing solos, playing the piano, visiting people in hospitals, and doing any other thing where she thought she could serve. She said the most important decision she ever made was to accept Jesus, to accept the free gift of salvation from God.

She was also multi-talented as she cooked, knitted, gardened, and even taught some of her grandchildren to read and prepare for school.

Carolyn was known to many for her loving, patient, and sweet personality. She was a source of encouragement to many and always looked for the positive in situations, regardless of the difficulties. She was known for the strong and loving relationship she shared with John as they did almost everything together.

Funeral services will be held at Hopewell Baptist Church in New Bloomfield on Saturday, September 16, 2023, with visitation from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Funeral services will follow at noon with Dr. Bobby Snow officiating. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery with a dinner for family following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St, Fulton, MO 65251.