CHITWOOD, Carol Elaine (Collins) - b. July 26, 1943 - d. September 16, 2026

[patyrn]

Carol Elaine Chitwood, age 83, of Fall River, Kansas, passed away September 16, 2026 at the Eureka Nursing Center in Eureka, Kansas.  She was born on July 26, 1943 in Nowata, Oklahoma, the daughter of Floyd Melvin and Bertha Ella (Bowden) Collins.

After graduating high school, Carol began her career in the health care industry.  She worked as a Certified Nurses Aide, Surgical Scrub Tech, and did Home Health Care for those in need. She had an outgoing personality and was a strong, independent person.

On May 16, 1970, Carol married Omer "Buck" Chitwood, Jr.  For the next 36 years, Carol and Buck built their life together until his passing on December 8, 2006.  Carol enjoyed traveling and having fun along the way.  She enjoyed collecting small trinkets, loved all animals, and had the ability to grow beautiful flowers in the worst soil conditions.  Most importantly, Carol loved her family with all her heart.

Survivors include her daughter, Natalia "Tallie" (Brian) Pope of Fall River, Kansas; grandchildren, Heath (Jeni) Pope of Severy, Kansas and Jerrad (Katelyn) Pope of Howard, Kansas; and great grandchildren, Vera, Flint, Eden, Lucy, and Lowyn.  Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Buck; and a brother, Wesley D. Collins.

Graveside services were held on September 21, 2026 at the Nowata Cemetery in Nowata, Oklahoma.  Memorials in her memory have been suggested to either the Greenwood County Hospital Memory Tree Leaf or the Eureka Nursing Center Activity Fund and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Online condolences can be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)