Lori Carpino

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Lori Ann Carpino, 62, Scammon, long time educator and lifelong resident of Scammon died Sunday, December 14, following a short illness.

Born October 16, 1963, in Columbus, Lori was the daughter of John P. “Johnny” and JoAnn (Birdsell) Carpino.

Lori graduated from Columbus Unified High School with the Class of 1982 and Pittsburg State University Class of 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a minor in Home Economics.

She worked with the Cherokee County Health Department from 1991 to 1996 as a nutritionist for the WIC Program.

Lori began her career as an educator with Columbus USD 493 in August of 1996 as Family and Consumer Science Teacher. She was devoted to her students and received the Golden Apple Award for grades 9-12 in 2014 as chosen by her students, fellow faculty, and administrators.

She served as the FCCLA Sponsor taking many road trips to conferences and events and working with the S.A.F.E. Program, Special Olympics, and the Community Blood Centers of the Ozarks during her tenure at CUHS/CJHS. She was also the Titan Dance Sponsor.

She was an active member of the Kansas National Teachers Association and the Columbus Teacher’s Association where she served in various positions.

Upon her retirement from teaching in 2019, Lori joined the Cherokee County Retired School Personnel and Columbus Retired Teachers Association, working tirelessly for the profession she loved.

In 2021, Lunch Lady Lori as she was known to her students, became the Food Service Director for USD 493, a position she currently held.

Outside of school related activities, she was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #918 and was an advocate for the Ronald McDonald House. She spent many years, beginning in 1987 until their closing, helping out at Josie’s Restaurante’.
Lori held offices on the Scammon City Council for many years and was an honorary member of the Scammon School All-School Reunion Committee.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents Johnny and JoAnn Carpino and her grandparents.

Survivors include one sister, Cheri Tedlock of Scammon and a very special niece, Sammy Jo Tedlock of Scammon, numerous cousins, friends, and former students she considered family.

A rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Weir. Family will receive friends following the rosary until 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2025 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Scammon. Officiants will be Father Chrysostom Maung and Father Chris Martin.

In leu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House through Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Weir or directly to the Joplin RMH.