Mary Carnes

Mary Ellen (Hamilton) Carnes, 86, of Independence, MO, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 27, 2011. Services will be at 2 pm, Sat., March 5, 2011 at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052; interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-2 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the First Christian Church of Independence, 125 S. Pleasant, Independence, MO 64050.
Mary Ellen was born April 6, 1924 in Independence and was a lifelong resident. Following her graduation from William Chrisman High School in the Class of 1942 she enlisted in the United States WAVES (Navy Women’s Reserve) and served during WW II. She was sent to U.S. Naval Training School in Cedar Falls, Iowa and earned the rank of Seaman First Class. She was Honorably Discharged from the Navy with the rank of Yeoman 3rd Class. Mary Ellen was also a member of American Legion Tirey J. Ford Post #21. She was married to William S. Carnes on Sept. 12, 1948. She was employed by Luva D. Vaughan for fifty-three years. She began selling movie tickets at the Hiway 40 Drive-in Theater and ended as his executive secretary. She is a member of the First Christian Church of Independence and the Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society and the Jackson County Historical Society.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents Charles Alma Hamilton and Grace Pauline (Nunnally) Hamilton; her husband William Southern Carnes; her infant son Thomas William Carnes; brothers James Coleman Hamilton, Charles Clifford Hamilton and Thomas Theodore Hamilton. She is survived by daughter Jane Ellen Jones; son William N. Carnes and wife Ruthie; son John C. Carnes; daughter Caroline Carnes Gnefkow and husband Bill; grandchildren Andrew Carnes and wife Rebecca; Sally Carnes-Lemp and husband Jason; Jessica Jones; Janelle Jones; Justin Carnes and wife Neda; Megan Carnes; Allison Carnes; Alex Carnes; step-grandchildren Andrew Gnefkow; Rebecca Gnefkow; great-grandchildren Lynsey Carnes and Camron Carnes and nieces Sue Hamilton Scott; Harriet Hamilton and nephews Richard Hamilton and Ted Hamilton.