Carolyn J. Harshfield, age 93, passed away on May 6, 2026 at SNF-Maranatha Village, Springfield, Missouri, after a short illness.
Carolyn was born on July 24, 1932 in Springfield, Missouri to Roy and Evelyn Putman. She graduated from Fair Grove High School and Southwest Missouri State University. She entered into marriage on September 19, 1953 to Renne T. Murray of Ash Grove, Missouri. Carolyn and Renne had three sons – Alan, Paul and Mark. They were married 29 years before Renne preceded her in death in 1982.
Carolyn was also preceded in death by her sister Marjorie in 1948, her mother in 1993, her brother Richard in 1996 and her father in 1996. She married Warren Harshfield in 1988 and he preceded her in death in 2014.
Carolyn taught school in Ash Grove for 32 years and was co-owner of Murray Oil Company in Ash Grove for 24 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church for 46 years and was currently a member of National Heights Baptist Church in Springfield. She was a member of Retired Teacher’s Association, Cox Auxilliary and the Red Cross, serving as a volunteer for many years after retirement. She loved to travel and she had been in all 50 states, 6 continents and 35 countries. She also very much enjoyed quilting and gardening.
Carolyn is survived by her sons Alan (Jane Ann) of Bolivar, Paul (Linda) and Mark all of Springfield, her grandsons Mathew (Whitney), Oliver (Chauntelle) of Bolivar, and Glenn of Springfield, seven great-grandchildren and two step-daughters Kristen (Stuart) of Colorado and Debbie of Kansas.
Arrangements have been made with Greenlawn Funeral Home in Springfield, with no formal services planned. A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions or donations can be made in honor and memory of Carolyn to SNF-Maranatha Village, Springfield, Missouri.