HLGU Mourns the Loss of Rheyma Carroll

by Rebecca Sneed

Rheyma Jean Carroll, 82, of Monroe City, MO, passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2016. Generous patrons of the University, Mrs. Carroll and her late husband Kenneth, are both remembered as strong and faithful Christians.

Rheyma Carroll was born June 29, 1933, in Monroe City, to Raymond and Helen Burditt. She married Kenneth, her high school sweetheart, August 4, 1951. They were together for 57 years before his death in September 2008.

Rheyma graduated as valedictorian from Monroe City School in 1951, where she was very active with band and basketball. Following graduation, Rheyma went to work at Henderson Produce Company until she and Kenneth moved to Chico, CA, in January 1952, where she was employed at Bank of America for six years. Then, she and Kenneth returned to Monroe City to begin their career in farming, and in 1970, they started Carroll Seed Farms.

Rheyma enjoyed serving others by cooking for them and giving of her time. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, working in the yard, and traveling. From 1985-1989, she served on the HLGU Board of Trustees.

In 2002, as a result of the vision and generous resources of Kenneth and Rheyma Carroll, and in cooperation with the HLGU Missions Department, Carroll Missions Week was established at Hannibal-LaGrange. This annual 3-day event brings missionaries to HLGU and exposes students to cutting-edge ministry in a foreign culture. Through the generosity of the Carrolls, many students have been exposed to missionaries and missions work all over the world.

In 2003, HLGU President Dr. Woodrow Burt challenged Hannibal-LaGrange family and friends with a lofty dream. “Our goal is for Hannibal-LaGrange College to become the center of recruitment and training for students called to missions.” Once again, the Carrolls took the lead in fulfilling this new vision for Hannibal-LaGrange. On November 6, 2004, the Carroll Missions Center was dedicated, and an integral part of the vision of Dr. Burt was completed.

The Carroll Missions Center contains training classrooms, student and administrative offices, a conference room, resource room, workroom, and prayer chapel. It is the focal point for all campus ministries, providing resources for student groups serving in local churches, on-campus Bible studies, community outreach, and mission work around the world. The addition of the Carroll Missions Center on the Hannibal-LaGrange University campus stands as a reminder of the Carroll’s dedication to missions and HLGU’s commitment to train missionaries for the future.

More recently, the Carrolls gave the visionary, leading gift for HLGU’s new Carroll Science Center. The 40,000 square foot, 7 million dollar building houses a 58-seat computer lab/classroom, five science labs, two nursing skills labs, two nursing lab hospital rooms, a nursing library, nine multimedia classrooms, a spacious lobby, five student lounges, two conference rooms, two group study rooms, two individual study rooms, and 20 faculty offices.

“We are grateful to the Carroll family for their partnership with us,” said Dr. Anthony Allen, HLGU President. “Only eternity will reveal the many lives that have been blessed and souls won for the kingdom through their generosity and partnership with us in ministering to our students. So today we say a prayer of thanksgiving as we remember Kenneth and Rheyma Carroll and their family with joy.”

Rheyma is survived by one son, Steven R. Carroll, and wife, Angela Beth, of Hannibal; a daughter, Connie Benson, and husband, Pat, of Hannibal; one sister, Doris Ann Hilbert (Bob) of Morton, IL.; grandchildren, Kyley Jean Adams (Tyler) of Monroe City, Victoria Wilson-Carroll of Hannibal and Elliot Wilson of Jefferson City.

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 13, at First Baptist Church in Monroe City. Dr. Woodrow Burt officiated. Rheyma was buried in Andrew Chapel Cemetery at Warren, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hannibal-LaGrange University Carroll Education Scholarship fund. This fund is awarded each year to four education majors.

Share this article on your social media accounts!