Carol Bill

Carol Ann Groves Bill, 85, of Jackson entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, surrounded by her family at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 8, 1938, in Cape Girardeau to Webster and Jewel Eileen McLain Groves. She and David L. Bill were married Aug. 8, 1954, in Joliet, Illinois.

David and Carol built a life on love, dedication, hard work and loyalty to each other that has left a lasting legacy for their families and to all who knew them.

Carol followed David, supporting his dreams. They built their first home at ages 19 and 21. Together, they raised two boys to be kind, respectable, well-thought-of young men. In 1968, they loaded up and moved to Burfordville. There they purchased a farm, and together they established Hidden Valley Farm, one of the most beautiful places in Cape Girardeau County.

Carol was proud to be just a farmer's wife. But she is also known throughout the area as "The Welcome Wagon Lady". Carol built many long-lasting friendships through her service with Welcome Wagon. She helped welcome people to the area for 12 years. You could never go anywhere that Carol did not see a friend.

In 1995, David and Carol sold their farm and moved to Jackson. They purchased "the big, beautiful white house" on Woodland Drive. They worked hard restoring it to its former glory. They lovingly have shared it over the years with anyone who wanted to stop in. Even on the day of her death, a group of students stopped in to take homecoming pictures because she had promised they could. Their legacy of hospitality will continue.

Carol was a longtime member of Fairview Methodist Church in Scopus, Missouri, and Advance (Missouri) Methodist Church, and recently a member of Wesley Methodist Church in Fruitland.

Carol's legacy now flows through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was very proud of them all and would tell anyone who would listen.

Carol leaves behind her husband of 69 years, David L. Bill; sons, Lawrence (Tina) Bill and Gary Bill; grandchildren, Melinda (Eric) Allred, David (Sydnie) Bill, Jessica (Justin) Hoppe, Joseph (Genevieve) Bill and Jacquelyn (Eric) Longar; great-grandchildren, Adam, Eric Preston and Analyn Allred, Kaylee Dee, Everly, Finley and Archer Bill, Henry Hoppe, Valerian and Gemma Bill and Elliot, Rylee and Calvin Longar; beloved sisters, Sherrie (Kenneth) Pesce and Sandra Groves Hermann; and many loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Charlene; grandson, Joshua Bill; great-grandson, Shelton Allred; and her parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev. William Minor will conduct the funeral at noon Saturday, Oct. 7, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice of church or charity.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Carol's obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.