Carol Ann Culver Tupper, age 82, Joplin, passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Freeman West Hospital after a sudden illness.
Carol was born April 23, 1937, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, daughter of the late Leon and Johnny Jean Culver. She grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Tulsa Central High School. Upon graduation, Carol attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where she graduated in 1959 with a degree in education. Carol was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta throughout her college experience.
Carol married the love of her life, Jan C. Tupper, on July 11, 1958. Because she fell in love with a commissioned United States Marine, she moved from base to base and across the country while expanding their family by having four children in four years. Jan preceded her in death on July 12, 2017.
After the fourth child entered kindergarten, Carol began her teaching career in the public and private sector. She was employed at Forest Park Baptist Church as a kindergarten teacher from 1968 to 1972 and the Joplin School System from 1972 to 1997.
After 29 years of teaching kindergarten, Carol retired in 1997, and began a new career in volunteerism. Carol served as a volunteer for Freeman Auxiliary for 22 years beginning in June, 1997. Because of her love for children, Carol served 21 years and was one of the original thirty volunteers for the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States beginning in July, 1998.
Carol was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Joplin. In addition to her husband Jan of 59 years and her parents, Carol was preceded in death by sister-in-law, LuAnn Tupper Stanford.
Carol is survived by daughter, Vicky Mieseler and husband Steve of Carl Junction; sons, Jon Tupper and wife Diana of Joplin, Dr. Joel Tupper and wife Dianne of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Jeff Tupper of Olathe, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, Joshua Tupper (Kate), Jessica Tupper Moss (Devin), Lauren Mieseler Thomason (Jeremy), Emilie Mieseler, Kelsey Tupper (Joe Priest), Jarren Tupper (Jessica Lawyer), Jacob Tupper (Brittany Kuehl), Jaxon Tupper, Jordan Tupper (Addie Cox), Jacey Tupper, and step grandchild, Dylan Jackson; nine great-grandchildren, Kaden, Hunter, Jansen, Josie, Baylor, Jack, Karter, Tucker, and Kenton who lovingly called her "Grandma Sir"; a brother, Curtis Culver and wife Ann of N. Richland Hills, Texas; several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Marsha West Eichler and Rev. Bob Howard officiating. Private entombment will be at Ozark Memorial Park Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2019. (please use the south entrance into the church).
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States or Freeman Auxiliary in care of Parker Mortuary.
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