Emily Sears

Emily Laverne (Carlson) Sears, daughter of John Edward and Clara Harriet Victoria (Fischer) Carlson, was born March 3, 1915 in Richland, MO in her parent’s Christian home. She married Farrell Eudell Sears on July 4, 1942. She departed this life May 16, 2009 in Bolivar, MO at 94 years of age. At the age of 17, she had attended Missouri State Teacher’s College (now MSU) in the summers and in the winters taught Oaklawn School, a one-room school house for grades 1-8, located nine miles north of Richland, in 1932. She finished her teaching degree suma cum laude and taught second grade in Joplin for six years and began teaching Richland High School in 1959. She loved teaching English, literature, health classes and physical education. She was a sponsor for the cheerleaders and pom-pom girls and therefore attended all the basketball games every year. She was baptized in the Swedish Lutheran Church in Swedeborg, MO, made her profession of faith in Christ early in life and followed that faith throughout the years. She was an active member of the Richland United Methodist Church and enjoyed the Methodist Women’s group and mailing the Upper Room to shut-ins and the current bulletin to members who missed it. She had many hobbies. Her first love was literature. However, her second love was the Missouri soil (which didn’t leave enough time for reading). She and Eudell had acres of land for wheat, cows, horses, sheep, chickens, rabbits, ponds for fishing, and a large garden! Her artistic talents showed while living in Virginia. She made shell earrings and was a Brownie leader for the girl scouts. She could make playdough animals that looked real. She made the best pies. She was a member of the National Federation of Republican Women and the American Legion Post 240 Ladies Auxiliary. Emily is survived by her three children: Farrell Eudell Sears, Jr. of Richland, Carla Wynn Biermann and husband, Arthur of Livermore, CA, Harold Eugene Sears of Pomme de Terre Lake; seven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Emily was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eudell; sister: Wilma (Carlson) Harrison Kirkland; three brothers: Harold, Everett and Calvin Carlson and her daughter-in-law: Linda Sears. An American Legion Post 240 Ladies Auxiliary Service was held at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 20, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Richland with Chaplain Ilda V. Henley and President Evalyn Sprucebank officiating. A Celebration of Life Service was held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, May 21, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Richland with Bro. Steven Lynch officiating. Pianist Rosalynn York accompanied soloist Merlene Smith as she sang “In The Garden” and also led the congregation as they sang “Amazing Grace”. Serving as escorts were Jessie Sears, James Stotler, Dan Sears, Sr., Don Hale, Dan Sears, Jr. and Darin Dieckhoff. Honorary escort was Arthur Biermann. Burial followed in the St. John’s Swede Cemetery near Swedeborg, MO. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Richland. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Emily Laverne (Carlson) Sears to the St. John’s Swede Cemetery fund and may be left at the funeral home.

Emily Sears

March 3, 1915 - May 16, 2009