Carol was born on January 19, 1950 in Kirksville, MO to Ralph Dale and Edna Pauline (Bacus) Dodge. She grew up and attended school in Memphis, MO, in which the town and her friends there had always been dear to her heart. She grew up half a block away from the municipal pool and spent a lot of happy times there.

As a young adult, she attended college at Truman University with plans on teaching history, but then changed direction and enrolled in airline school in Kansas City. In August of 1969, she was hired by American Airlines and began working at O’Hare Field, Chicago.

On January 1979, she married John Stanford who she met on a blind date at Glenview Air Naval Station in suburban Chicago. They were blessed to be parents to Dana Marie (Jacobs) and John’s two wonderful sons Michael Edmund and Paul Thomas.

She went on to receive a degree in finance, and upon retirement after 37 years in financial services, they moved from their long time home in LeGrand, IA, to Thomson, IL, to be close to the Mississippi River and the wonderful people who enriched their lives through years of camping. Her final years could not have been more rewarding through boating, camping, fishing, relaxing by campfires, cruising the neighborhood in her golf cart, visiting with neighbors, friends, and family, and taking in the beautiful scenery.

Her deep love of family and friends was abundantly apparent. She wanted to thank you all for touching her life. “Until we meet again…”

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Dana Marie (Jacobs), Stepsons Michael Edmund (Nicole) Stanford and Paul Edmund Stanford; a sister Connie (Harlan) Kraus; nieces Jill Hines and Joy Kraus (fiance Roy Johnson) and grandchildren: Brynna Delaina, Megan Mae (fiance Bruce Sims) and Christian Anthony.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Ralph Dale and Edna Pauline (Bacus), Dodge and husband, John Stanford.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at a later date to be announced with private family services to follow.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineradnerson.com

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro, GA is in charge of arrangements.