Lola Mae Cary (74) of Springfield, Missouri, passed peacefully on Thursday February 8, 2024 due to declining health after a series of strokes.  She was born in 1950 in Burlington, Colorado to Rueben Charley Anderson & Viola Elizabeth (Schaal) Anderson.  Being the 5th of six children: Jim Anderson, Kay Morgan, Charlene James, Dick Anderson & Paul Anderson.

She was very compassionate and always wanted to be a nurse.  She went directly to nursing school after graduating high school.  She continued her passion for nursing until she retired from Mercy Hospital in 2014.

During the Vietnam War she traveled with a relief organization to help rescue orphaned children.  Her daughters loved to hear the stories about the children she saved.

She loved children and taught Sunday school for over 40 years at Southeast Bible Chapel.  She would spend hours preparing lessons as she wanted the children to be drawn to God’s word through her lessons and she wanted them to have fun in class.  Children loved Ms.Lola, she knew what each child liked and would ask them about their week and really listened to their answers.  She loved to sew and do crafts. Her grandchildren were always excited to raid her craft supply closet as there was always something new and she never minded the messes that were an unavoidable part of the fun.

She met her husband of 48 years, Walter Cary in 1975 at Southeast Bible Chapel in Springfield MO.  Their first date was a church float trip and they used to laugh about the fact that their canoe was one of the few that did not tip.  After less than six months of dating they married in December.  She enjoyed cooking/baking and experimenting with new recipes.  During their first several months of marriage, Walter jokes that he finally had to ask if they could have some “repeats” of the good recipes again.  Her love of baking eventually turned into a catering business which specialized in custom cakes for celebrations.

Lola loved entertaining and sharing God’s love through her hospitality.  Her girls remember having many guests in their home over the years.  She loved planning menus for guests and she kept records of what she made so she could make something different the next time they visited.  Never forgetting the children, she maintained a playroom in her home with toys for all ages so they always had something to do when they visited.

Lola is survived by her husband Walter.  Her two daughters, Alicia and her husband Jeremy Bartlotti, DaNae and her husband Andrew Belt.  Four grandchildren: Melita Belt (17), JJ Bartlotti (13), Jackson Bartlotti (11) & Daphne Belt (11).  Her sisters, Kay & Charlene and her brothers, Dick & Paul.  Along with many loved, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rueben and Viola, her brother Jim, and her son Jonathan Cary, who passed at birth.

After her faith, her family and especially her grandchildren, were her biggest joy and she loved when they were all together.  In honor of her wishes to have a celebration instead of a funeral for her heavenly homecoming and her love of entertaining; The family will hold a Celebration of Life event on June 22.  Additional details will be announced at a later date.  Please contact the family if you are interested in attending.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Southeast Bible Chapel designated as a memorial for Lola.  Cards and condolences may also be mailed to Southeast Bible Chapel attn Cary Family to 1051 S Crutcher Ave, Springfield MO 65804.

Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.