Carol A. LeMon

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to  St. Luke's Hospice House, or mailed to Saint Luke's Foundation, 901 E. 104th St. #100S, Kansas City, MO 64131 or  The LDS Humanitarian Fund, or mailed to The LDS Humanitarian Aid Fund: Philanthropies, 1450 N. University Ave., Provo, UT 84604 

After a beautiful and full life, Carol Anderson LeMon passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 15, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas, at the age of 86. She leaves behind an enduring legacy of gentleness and kindness. She was good. All who were blessed to know her were better for having known her.

Carol was born (“in-tandem” with her twin sister, Connie) on April 21, 1938, in Murray, Utah to Thomas Henry Anderson and Thelma Jones Anderson. Carol and Connie loved being twins, especially because they always had a playmate and friend. They dressed alike, sounded alike, and even thought alike. Together with their older sister, Marie, and younger brother, Paul, they grew up as a close-knit happy family. They were lucky enough to be surrounded by good friends and a large extended family in their Midvale neighborhood. The Anderson family traveled a lot, including annual trips to see the Rose Bowl Parade. As die-hard baseball fans, they listened to the daily summer games on the radio, went to many of the Salt Lake Bees home games, and even watched major league games when they traveled east. Carol was a lifetime baseball fan and could keep score like the professionals and recite statistics and information about her favorite players each season. 

Carol graduated from Brigham Young University in 1960 with a BS in English Education and Art. Carol was an excellent writer and speaker, and inspired her listeners through her many Church callings and through numerous speaking engagements. She was a talented artist in portraits and hand lettering. Early in her married life, she worked for Hallmark Cards as a lettering artist. Her artwork appeared in personal endeavors as well, such as the Christmas cards she made and sent each year featuring hand-sketched portraits of her growing family.

Carol married her tall, dark and handsome “prince charming”, Douglas LeMon, in the Salt Lake Temple on August 28, 1961. Heeding the counsel given to them by Elder Harold B. Lee on their wedding day to continue to court each other, Doug and Carol faithfully went on weekly dates for the rest of their lives. The 63 inseparable years they spent together were filled with much love, joy and service. Their lives revolved around family and church and they made many, many lifelong friends along the way. 

Carol was a dedicated wife and mother and together with Doug, they raised their six children in Kansas City, Missouri after Doug graduated from dental school and set up practice there. Jeffrey, their firstborn, was a beautiful baby, but suffered permanent brain damage at birth due to complications. Carol grieved that this child would never be able to have a “normal life” but finally found solace when Doug shared with her: “We don’t need to cry over Jeffrey. He will inherit the Celestial Kingdom.” That Celestial perspective gave her hope and inspired her to live her life in such a way so that she would dwell someday in that glorious heavenly home with her perfected Jeffrey.

Carol found joy through serving in her Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She taught early-morning seminary for four years. She also taught in all the auxiliaries. She served as a Ward Primary President, a Stake Young Women President, and a Ward and a Stake Relief Society President. Relief Society became a great love for her as she served with many beautiful and spiritual sisters in the gospel. She was the first woman to give a prayer in a Stake Conference in Kansas City. (That was in the mid-1970s when it was very unusual for women to pray in a public meeting.) In her later years, she was a temple ordinance worker which fulfilled a lifelong dream to “be in the temple daily to serve and to be blessed.” She also served as a senior missionary—serving 3 missions with her eternal companion, Doug. They also lovingly assisted special needs local service missionaries in the Olathe, Kansas area. Her decades of service blessed so many lives. She was always going above and beyond to let those she had stewardship over know they were loved, important, and special.

Carol also felt privileged to work as a volunteer in the Family History Center in Independence for ten years. She was blessed with the “spirit of Elijah” and found great success in her geneological efforts. When Carol and Doug were the Directors of the BYU Family History Library in Provo, Utah, she was able to search out and provide ordinances for many of her ancestors on the Jones line. 

All that Carol did in life was inspired and inspiring. She was valiant and strong in her testimony of Jesus Christ, and, like the sons of Helaman, we, her children, “do not doubt our mother knew.” She knew how to “circle the wagons”, gather the faith and prayers of those she loved, and call down the blessings of heaven on behalf of loved ones in need. Her mighty faith brought forth miracles and many lives have been forever blessed because of it.

She enjoyed traveling, including “Geritol Journeys” with Doug and her siblings and their spouses. She also enjoyed reading in book clubs and hanging out with the neighborhood gals, writing poetry and telling stories, drawing, crafting, dunking Oreos in milk, playing racquetball and ping-pong, doing puzzles, cheering for the BYU Cougars and KC Royals, playing games with her grandchildren, and being with family and friends. Her family was her greatest joy, and she was proud of all her children and grandchildren. 

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Marie Yamada and Connie Solum, and her sister-in-law, Karen Anderson.

 She leaves behind her beloved husband, Doug LeMon, and her six children: Jeffrey LeMon of American Fork, Utah, Michele (Jeff) Stitt of Overland Park, Kansas, Lori (Brian) Memmott of Rexburg, Idaho, Jon (Gina) LeMon of American Fork, Utah, Wendy Jones of Highland, Utah, Steven (Denise) LeMon of Overland Park, Kansas. She is also survived by her younger brother, Paul (Pamela) Anderson, brother-in-laws, Tony Yamada and Darrell Solum, and 14 grandchildren.

“My sojourn here on this earth has been a glorious one and I am thankful for those special souls who have influenced me for good along the way, especially my wonderful family—and my loving Heavenly Father. I know a few things for certain: There is a God in Heaven who loves us in a very personal way. Through His blessed Son, the Holy Spirit will guide us as we practice and learn how to become like Them. Those times when I have lived close to the Lord, practicing Godhood, my life has been blessed and I have been privileged to receive of His boundless love and inspiration.” ~ Carol 

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Carol’s family would like to thank the staff of St. Luke’s Hospice for their loving care during these past few months.

Services will also be livestreamed. A link will be posted prior to the funeral.

To share a memory of Carol, or leave a special message for her family, visit the guest book below.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Luke's Hospice House, or mailed to Saint Luke's Foundation, 901 E. 104th St. #100S, Kansas City, MO 64131 or The LDS Humanitarian Fund, or mailed to The LDS Humanitarian Aid Fund: Philanthropies, 1450 N. University Ave., Provo, UT 84604