Carolyn Kay Metcalf

Carolyn K. Metcalf, age 82, Plainville, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville.

She was born to Harold and Estella (Bane) Gilliland on December 31, 1937 in Plainville. She was united in marriage to William L. Greenwood of Carlton, Kan. in 1956 and was blessed with three children: Debra, Craig, and Bret. The union was dissolved after 16 years. Carolyn married Donald E. Metcalf on March 31, 1978, and added to her family, four step-children: Michael, Andrew, David, and Rachael.

Carolyn was born and raised in Plainville. She attended Plainville High School, where she was drum majorette and homecoming attendant, graduating with the class of 1955. She continued her education at Fort Hays State University for one year, married William, then started a family while William finished his degree at Kansas State University. The couple and two children moved around Kansas while William was an Ag teacher (Osborne), then 4-H Agent (Eureka), then county agent in Scott City for a number of years. Carolyn finished her education in Manhattan, earning her Cosmetology Degree from Crum’s Beauty College in 1966 while William completed his Masters degree. They then returned to Scott City for three years, where Bret was born, and subsequently moved to Topeka. In 1973, she and William divorced. Across time, she was a hairdresser, SOC clerk for SW Bell, mom, wife, volunteer, member of sorority, taught twirling lessons, and hostess extraordinaire. In Topeka, she met and married Donald in 1978 and they enjoyed 40 years together. During that time, they lived in Topeka and Hoyt. When Donald retired, they wintered multiple times in Gainesville, Fla. with Debra and Darci. Then, they moved to Apache Junction, Ariz. to be close to Craig and his family for a few years. Upon departing Apache Junction, their sojourn brought them to Plainville in 2008.

Carolyn was a woman of faith and love. No matter where she moved, she found a home in a church. She was raised Methodist, and attended Methodist churches during the children’s developmental years. After marrying Donald, they then became long-term members of Fairlawn Heights Weslyan Church, members of Grace Point in Hoyt, Corner Stone Church in Apache Junction, and lastly the Nazarene Church in Plainville. She was a talented cosmetologist and was meticulous in all areas of her life; whether it was working on a client’s looks, her own appearance, her home, entertaining or hosting guests—everything she did had to be just right. Carolyn was a loving and devoted mother and wife. She cooked, cleaned, and when she wasn’t doing that, Carolyn enticed the family, neighbors, and friends to join in on playing any and all board games, card games, or doing intellectually challenging puzzles. She will never be forgotten for her warm and welcoming hospitality.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Estella Gilliland; and brother, Ronald Gilliland.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband Donald of the home in Plainville; children: Debra A. Newell of Gainsville, Fla., Craig (Sheila) Greenwood of Chandler, Ariz., and Bret Greenwood of Plainville; step-children, Michael (Susanne) Metcalf of Topeka, Andrew (Karen) Metcalf of Topeka, David (Lisa) Metcalf of Saginaw, Texas, and Rachael (Matt) Boyd of Tulsa, OK; a brother, Barry (Donna) Gilliland of Plainville; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Gilliland (Ronald) of Plainville; fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The family will be hosting a memorial service at the Nazarene Church in Plainville on Thursday, December 31, at 5 p.m. with a “Home Going Celebration” from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Plainville. Options for online attendance will be available through social media by family.

Memorials are suggested to Nazarene Church and may be sent in care of, Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.