Carol Anne (Gates) Guest

As the holidays draw nearer this year, there will be a gaping hole in the lives of those who loved Carol Guest since she always went above and beyond in making this time of year so special for everyone around her. Her acts of selflessness were endless, in fact, since Carol lived to put the needs of others ahead of her own. Blessed with the gifts of hospitality and fellowship, Carol’s heart was always open to her family, friends, and even strangers in her path – new friends as she called them. There was nothing more important in Carol’s life than her faith and her family, and a more loving and nurturing mother is hard to find. Although she will be deeply missed, all who were touched by Carol will consider themselves so privileged to have been touched by an angel.

As the 1950s dawned, the shape of the political landscape in the world would become clearly defined by the Soviet dominated East and the capitalist West. The Cold War between our two nations became a grim reality because both sides had the power and technology for a nuclear holocaust, but both the United States and the Soviet Union also knew that any war could not truly be won. This was the decade that was introduced to the blue jeans, the Barbie doll, and the sounds of rock ‘n roll. There was much to celebrate in the family of Rowland and Louise Gates with the birth of their daughter, Carol Anne, on May 25, 1950. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Carol was one four children in her family including her siblings Linda, Jerry, and Tim. Carol’s mother had the gift of hospitality and as a result, the Gates door was always open to everyone. They were a very musical family and Carol’s love for music would remain a part of her life through her adult years. Her mother played the piano and taught Carol to play as well.

Carol attended local schools including East Side High School in East St. Louis where she was always involved in various activities. Her siblings always accused her of being their mother’s favorite since Carol continually tried to please her mother and the pair often cooked together. Carol’s father liked to affectionately tease Carol about mixing her words up when she talked. With a love for cooking, Carol and her friend, Marily Hitt, often cooked fancy meals in the Gates family kitchen.

After graduating from high school, Carol attended Olivet University. In 1971 she went on a singing tour in Europe with the Treble Clef Choir from Olivet. It was also as a young woman that Carol met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Tim Guest and they met in 1973 when he came to her house in O’Fallon Illinois, with his sister, Paula, who was engaged to Carol’s brother, Jerry. They immediately felt drawn to each other but since they lived miles apart, they went their separate ways. Their story would continue almost ten years later, however, in 1981. It was then that they met again at Carol’s brother’s house in Bourbonnais and this time, they fell deeply in love and were married the next year.

During their first year of marriage the newlyweds sang in a gospel group together, but busier days were on the horizon as they welcomed their first of three sons into their hearts and home. It was clear to see that being a mother seemed to be a role tailor made for Carol since she effortlessly provided her sons, Kevin, Jason, and Aaron, with the love and care they needed to grow into the adults she has become so proud of. She was always there for her boys with whatever they needed, and all three will forever cherish the memories they have of their mother singing to them when they were younger.

In addition to her love for her family, Carol possessed an enduring love for Jesus. Her faith provided her with both the joy in her step and the shelter from the storms of life. Carol loved to worship at church as a member of Rivervalley Christian Fellowship Church in Bourbonnais and since moving to Conway, North Carolina, at services at Conway Baptist Church. Her life was a constant reflection of the beliefs that were engraved upon her heart. It was her faith that sustained her during the days following her father’s death on January 15, 1994, as well as the death of Tim’s father just six months later – almost to the day.

In everything she did, Carol’s servant’s heart came through. She loved cooking for others and some of her best dishes included roast, green beans, and pineapple upside down cake. Carol developed a “card ministry” in which she sent cards to encourage family, friends, and various others she met. Even as her own health struggles plagued her, Carol’s cards never stopped coming to those in need of a tender touch. She loved not only her family and friends, but also strangers or “new friends” as she called them. Carol’s compassion and acceptance of everyone never ceased to amaze those who knew her. She loved having parties and hosting friends at her home, and she also developed a love for crafts that often spilled over to others, too.

When reflecting on the life of Carol Guest it is easy to see that her heart truly beat to love others. She was bubbly and outgoing which naturally led to her involvement in church musicals and plays. Carol never met a stranger and didn’t give a second thought to passing along the joy that was in her soul. Truly a woman after God’s own heart, her life was a constant example of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Although all who knew Carol will miss her dearly, her life will continue to be an inspiration to many.

Carol Anne Guest of Conway, North Carolina (formerly of Bourbonnais) died on December 1, 2010 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia. Carol’s family includes her husband of 28 years, Tim Guest; her three sons, Kevin Guest, Jason Guest and Aaron Guest all of Bourbonnais; her mother, Louise Gates of Bourbonnais; three siblings, Linda (Dan) Johnson of Yorktown, VA, Jerry (Paula) Gates of Bourbonnais, and Tim (Vicky) Gates of Orlando, FL; as well as six nieces and nephews and five great- nieces. Carol was preceded in death by her father, Rowland Gates. Friends may visit the family on Monday, December 6, 2010 from 8:30a.m. until the 10 a.m. funeral service at Rivervalley Christian Fellowship Church, Rev. George Miller and Rev. Tim Gates will officiate. A visitation will also be held at the Parkview Church of the Nazarene in Fairview Heights, IL on Monday, December 6 from 6-8 p.m. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.