Carol Joan McGee was born to John D. McGee and Minnie Shellhammer McGee in Hardtner, Kansas, on May 28, 1942 and died on April 9, 2019. She grew up in Kiowa, Kansas, where she was active in band and orchestra and was selected for the Wichita Youth Symphony.

Carol received her BE and master's degree from Emporia State University, where she was also very active in Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

After graduation, Carol taught for several years at Seaman High School in Topeka, Kansas, before working for the Kansas State Department of Education. She later moved to Springfield, Illinois, where she was...