Obituary of Marilyn McCarter

Marilyn Jo McCarter, 64, passed away December 20, 2012, at Barton County Memorial Hospital, Lamar, MO. She was born February 10, 1948 to Willard and Eva (Maxe) Holford, in Coffeyville, KS. Marilyn graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School, Coffeyville, KS, majoring in Music Education at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, completing her degree in 1972. Marilyn married Harold Douglas McCarter in Coffeyville, KS, August 24, 1968. They lived in Norfolk, VA, Panama City, Panama SA, Altamont, KS, Pittsburg, KS and Lamar, MO. She taught in Pittsburg, Golden City and Liberal Schools, retiring from Liberal following an auto accident. She gave private music lessons and worked for O'Sullivan, Blue Top, Pizza Hut, and several other local businesses. Marilyn was the first female drummer with the PSU Jazz Ensemble. She was a percussionist with the Coffeyville, Pittsburg and Parsons City Bands, and with the PSU summer theater orchestra. While in Panama, she was a percussionist in the Godspell production, drummer with the 79th US Army Band Officer's Combo and the Mass Media Rock Band, director for Teen Clubs at Ft. Amador & Albrook Air Base, and performed in USO tours with Frankie Avalon & the Blossoms. She served as Choir Director at LUMC for 17 years. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and grandson Hayden Gabriel Navaratnam. She is survived by her husband, Doug, of the home; daughters Michelle Casey and husband, Jade, Lamar, MO and Misty Navaratnam and husband, Anthony, Pittsburg, KS; grandchildren Mickenzy Blaine McCarter, Lamar, Kiran, Kadin and Kyra Navaratnam, Pittsburg, KS.