Carolyn Ray (Lee) Pihana

Carolyn Ray Lee Pihana

1933 – 2018

Carolyn Ray Lee Pihana, 85, of New Franklin, passed away June 8, 2018 at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.

Carolyn was born in New Franklin on March 4, 1933 to the late Walter “Banty” Lee, Jr. and Mary Lee Eatherton Lee.  She married Peter Pekelo Pihana on July 4, 1953 in Escondido, CA.  Peter survives at their home.

Carolyn was a long-time employee of the New Franklin School District.  She began her service to area students beginning in 1971 as a crossing guard.  She drove a school bus for 32 years taking multiple generations of New Franklin students to school, ball games and other school activities and retired from the school district as a library aide.

She was a member of the New Franklin United Methodist Church and was a charter member of the New Franklin Alumni Association and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union.  She loved horses and sports.  Carolyn played softball and basketball in adult leagues and was an avid fan of the Mizzou Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Carolyn’s favorite pastimes included going to her children's and grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities.

Carolyn loved and was loved by her family.  Those cherishing her memory include her husband, Peter Pekelo Pihana of New Franklin; two sons, Col. Patrick Pihana, Ret. (Sandy) of Fairfax,VA and Kerry W. Pihana (Denise) of New Franklin; two daughters, Penny Pihana Shaw (Dale) and Kelly Pihana Rackley (Bill) both of New Franklin; a brother, Thomas W. Lee (Charlene) of Boonville; a sister, Patricia A. Lee of Kansas City, MO; nine grandchildren, Makai (Gina) Shaw, Kalei (Mike) Holder, Mauka (Meganne) Shaw, Adam (Stacy) Pihana, Maj. Kathleen Pihana, Maile (Eric) Rhorer, Kolina (Zach) Baucom, Kalani Ray Pihana and Anthea Kekoa Rackley and six great-grandchildren, Landon and Hudson Shaw, Colin Holder, Sklyar and Laila Shaw and Maxwell Pihana.  Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Services honoring Carolyn’s life will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 16 at Markland-Yager Funeral Home in New Franklin with Rev. Clayton Blodgett and Rev. Ken Stacey officiating.  Visitation will be held Friday evening, June 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Interment will follow the service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in New Franklin.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the New Franklin Alumni Association.

Condolences and tributes may be shared at www.marklandyager.com.

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