Carolyn J. Weeks

Carolyn J. Weeks

Carolyn Joan (Cunningham) Weeks passed away on June 30, 2023 in Independence, Missouri.
She was 91. Carolyn recently celebrated her 31st wedding anniversary with Lysle Weeks.
Carolyn and Lysle were deeply involved in their community and supported many causes that
were meaningful to them. They participated in church activities at the Good Shepherd
Community of Christ Church and enjoyed cross-country trips traveling on the blue highways
together.

Carolyn was born on January 15, 1932, in Wichita, Kansas to Letha M. (Estes) and William E.
Cunningham. She had one sibling, her older brother, William E. Cunningham, Jr. Their father
died when Carolyn was seven years old and the small family moved and put down new roots in
Independence. Carolyn attended William Chrisman High School and was a member of the
class of ’49. She was the class secretary and remained active through the years in the planning
of their class reunions. Carolyn attended the University of Kansas and earned her degree from
Graceland College.

Carolyn was a wonderful cook who enjoyed entertaining. She was an accomplished
seamstress and avid genealogist. She enjoyed tending her garden, traveling to new places and
meeting new people. She was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother.
From 1974-1990 she served as the Executive Assistant to Independence Mayors Dick King,
Lee Comer and Barbara Potts. Carolyn was a founder and Secretary-Treasurer of the Sister
City program with Higashimurayama, Japan. She traveled to Japan on official delegations
several times and hosted many delegates in her home. At the age of 80, she was crowned
Cherry Blossom Queen of the Japanese Sister City Festival.

Carolyn was passionate about supporting children and young adults. At her South Chrysler
congregation of the Community of Christ Church, she served as director of the Girls’ Work
Commission as a well as troop leader. She served as President of NutraNet, educating children
about nutrition. She was a Reader Pal for Youth Friends. She established a fund through the
Independence Community Foundation in honor of her own mother to benefit programs for early
childhood development.

Carolyn had a leadership role in many organizations. She was a founder and President of the
Board of Directors of the Independence chapter of the League of Women Voters; Chair of the
Board of Trustees for the Jackson County Mental Health Levy; member of the founding
steering committee for LEAD Independence, a leadership development program of the
Chamber of Commerce; Board of Director for the Independence Community Foundation:
Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Independence Cultural Arts Coalition; President of
the Friends of UMKC-Truman Campus; Secretary of the Board of Directors of the
Independence Plan for Neighborhood Councils, and President of the Three Trails
Neighborhood Council; Marketing Director for the Truman Anniversary Concert Committee; and
member of the Independence Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S.Constitution. She
was involved in People-to-People and hosted dozens of ambassadors of the program from
around the world in her home. For decades, Carolyn worked on many political campaigns and
was elected as Blue Township Democratic Committeewoman for several terms.
Honors bestowed on Carolyn for her contributions in the community include the Women’s
Achievement Award from the American Association of University Women; a Lifetime
Achievement Award and a People’s Choice Award from the Independence Neighborhood
Councils; and Jackson County Woman of Distinction honoree.

Carolyn developed many lifelong friendships along the way. She will be remembered fondly by
all for her kindness and fun-loving spirit. She was a treasure and will be greatly missed by
those who knew her.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Lysle R. Weeks; her children with the late Judge Alan B.
Slayton: Cyd R. Slayton (Madeleine McDonough); Tamra Rembolt (Jay); Lisa Slayton; her
stepdaughter Gabrielle Weeks Skye (Coby); and her grandchildren Emily Platt, Katie Platt, Alex
Rembolt, Caroline Rembolt and Mars Rembolt. Additionally, she is survived by the family of her
late brother Bill: wife Norma and children Douglas, Celeste, Kelly and Stuart and their families.

The family is deeply appreciative of the care given by KC Hospice and CareStaf, who were of
great support.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Good Shepherd
Community of Christ at 4341 Blue Ridge Blvd, KCMO 64133. Visitation begins before the
service at 2:00 pm. A private family burial was held at Mound Grove Cemetery. Memorial
donation suggestions include The Truman Heartland Community Foundation (Cunningham-
Weeks Advisory Fund for Youth Programs); The Human Rights Campaign; the Center for
Conflict Resolution; and Hope House.