Carolyn Kay (Jarrett) Beggs, Crest Hill, Illinois, and formerly of Chapman, Kansas, died Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Lightways Hospice in Joliet, Illinois, after a brief battle with cancer. She was 85.
She was born October 23, 1938, in Allen, Oklahoma, to Roy D. and Desmer (Payne) Jarrett. She attended school there and graduated from Allen High School with the Class of 1956.Following high school, she attended Hill’s Business University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she received secretarial training.On September 23, 1961, she married Robert W. “Bob” Beggs. This union produced a son, Robert Bruce Beggs, in 1964. The family moved to Chapman, Kansas, in 1966, where Carolyn remained until relocating to Illinois in 2021; her husband preceded her in death in 2008.While a homemaker, Carolyn also worked many years as a U.S. Civil Service secretary and office assistant at Fort Riley, Kansas, near Chapman. She retired in 1995.
Carolyn enjoyed following her son’s and grandchildren’s school activities. She was a lover of nature, particularly birds. And she could often be found rooting for Kansas State University athletics and the Kansas City professional teams.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and by her older brother, R.D. Jarrett. Survivors include her son, Bruce Beggs (and wife Sandy); a granddaughter, Bethany (Beggs) Ortiz; a grandson, Kelley Beggs; and other relatives and friends.
The family has chosen cremation. A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. ., Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Indian Hill Cemetery in Chapman. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in her name be made to Lightways Hospice or by check mailed to Lightways, Development Office, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431; or to the National Audubon Society.