Lucille May (Carder) Norfleet January 10, 1925 - July 5, 2022 Left us peacefully after 97.5 years

The story of Lucille's life begins on January 10, 1925, in San Jose, California. She was the second born, of what would eventually become eight children to William E. Carder and Emma (Wadsworth) Carder. The first child was Betty, then Lucille, Bill, Eli, Norma, Don, Marilyn, and Bob.

Her father was a railroad worker and her mother a full time mom who also worked part-time in the canneries. Having seven brothers and sisters and being one of the oldest, Lucille was expected to help with the younger siblings. With eight children in one house you would think things would be a bit crowded, but the boys slept in 'the bunk house' their father built in the backyard of the home at 1062 Fairview Ave., so it was not as crowded as you would think.

Lucille remembers being a good student and she was always eager to learn. In kindergarten she told her teacher she wanted to learn to read. She was told that reading was taught in first grade and you had to be six to be in first grade. So on January 10, 1931 (her sixth birthday) Lucille went to school and walked into the first grade room and sat down. She was there to read! They sent her back to the kindergarten room. This passion for learning to read followed her into her professional life where she earned her degree in education and became a first grade teacher with a passion for teaching reading. Hundreds of students learned to read thanks to Lucille's hard work.

Both of her parents knew that a good education was important for all their children. In those days in society, it was emphasized more for the boys to get a good education than the girls. Three of the sisters earned college degrees.

In addition to the emphasis on education, each of the Carder children were strong, independent, and self-reliant.

She remembered conversations she would have with her father when he came home from his shift at the rail yard, and she would be studying in the kitchen.

In high school she had a group of sorority sisters that remained friends throughout their lives. I believe she was the last of her group to pass on.

While attending what is now San Jose State University she was asked to be a hostess at a USO dance to be held at a church on Jan. 1, 1944. Her father was against her attending but was convinced by her mother to let Lucille go. Her mother knew the ladies sponsoring the dance and that Lucille was a responsible girl and it would be ok. Her father let her go but advised her not to let any sailors bring her home. At the dance she met a tall, handsome sailor from the midwest named Lloyd. She ignored her father's advice and allowed him to bring her home. She was immediately in love and remembers crying after he brought her home thinking she may never see him again. Either the romance may not last or he may not come back from the war.

The romance lasted and at 21 years old she and Lloyd were married on September 22, 1946 in San Jose. She remembers being nervous when they traveled back to meet Lloyd's family and settle in Kansas City where he was employed. The family had gathered at the family farm near Brazito, MO to greet the newlyweds. Lucille was so relieved to be welcomed by her father- and mother-in-law Ralph and Pearl Norfleet and their seven other children: Lucille, Marcus, Harold, Anne, Hazel, Lee (Lloyd's twin), and Myrene. The only brother she would never meet was Alan who died during the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. She remembered thinking she may have a hard time telling Lloyd apart from Lee, his identical twin, so she remembered what shirt Lloyd put on when he went down to the living room at the farmhouse. She went downstairs and they both had on the same style and color of shirt! We're pretty sure she recognized and stayed with the right one.

Lucille finished her degree in education at Kansas City College (now UMKC) and began her career teaching first grade and her passion for teaching reading.

She and Lloyd raised two sons: Lloyd Creig born July 27, 1947, and Glen Raymond born April 17, 1953. Lloyd's twin, Lee, lived with them for a few years (affordable housing was not easy to find after the war) and kids in the neighborhood wondered why Creig had '2 daddies'.

In addition to Lucille's roles as wife, mother, and teacher she was also involved in the KCEA (Kansas City Education Association) and a charitable sorority Delta Lambda with other women who became lifelong friends. The couples enjoyed great times, celebrations, and travel together. They were known as "the gang". Sadly she is the last of the gang to pass on.

Lucille enjoyed gardening (her car could not drive past a plant nursery), sewing, and baking (her pies and cookies were known by all that knew her). With all her activities there always seemed to be a project going on the dining room table, the kitchen, the garden, or the sewing machine. She would be up late into the night, then up the next morning at 6:30 to get to school the next day.

After their sons were out of the house she went back to school and got her degree in Speech Pathology. Lucille finished her career in the Kansas City School district as a speech pathologist.

Lucille and Lloyd enjoyed traveling and visiting their sons. But she also loved having her sons and their families come to visit her! This family of hers grew greatly over the years and she loved each new addition. Lloyd and Peggy of Lighthouse Point, FL, blessed her with 2 grandsons: Craig and Shawn, and a great granddaughter Laylah. Glen and Nancy of Maryland Heights, MO blessed her with 3 granddaughters: Melissa (Gary), Laura (Erik), and Leslie, and 7 great grandchildren: Dylan, Peyton, Ellie, Cameron, Eva, Rhett, and Wyatt.

Lucille will be remembered as a courageous, strong, independent person who could accomplish anything she set her mind to. She cared deeply for her family (both hers and Lloyd's), her sons, grands, and great grandchildren, and all her friends and neighbors. We are all better for having had Lucille in our lives.

She will be buried in Riverview Cemetery, Jefferson City, MO alongside her beloved husband Lloyd on July 9, 2022.

Donations in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

Visitation at the Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, Fri., July 8, from 5-8 p.m.