Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. ~ Matthew 11: 28-30

Carolyn (Carol) Jean (McAllister) Bear, went home to her Heavenly Father on Friday, September 10, 2021.  She was 88-years-old.  There was not a single day she didn't talk to at least one of her children, and for that, she was cherished and adored.

Family will hold a Graveside Memorial Service for family & friends on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Monday, September 20, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at the Winfield Veteran's Cemetery, 1208 N. College Street in Winfield.  In lieu of flowers, the family wishes Memorial Contributions be made out to the Alzheimer's Association, left in care of the Dunsford Funeral Home.

On Friday, January 20,1933, Carol was born to William Marvin and Kitty Maudie (Maxey) Fry in Chicago. The family later settled in Cedarville, Arkansas and Carol gained a little sister, Janice, in 1938.  Although the Fry's moved to California for a few years, they eventually returned to the comforts of their small town in Arkansas.

At 15-years-old, Carol married Don McAllister.  They made a home together in El Dorado, Kansas with Don working in the oil fields and Carol working as a custodian at White & Ellis Drilling Company, nursing home aide, and a waitress.  It's a wonder she had time for anything else, but Carol was spunky and tenacious – it took both qualities to raise five children while working full-time.  Don passed away in 1976 and she was a devoted wife to the end.

In 1966, Carol started a 29-year career at Beechcraft.  She was in the painting department, priming aircraft parts and using equipment she jokingly referred to as the "Green Monster."  She occasionally worked third shift, and her kids know that their pestering didn't allow her to get much sleep.  When asked what her plans for retirement were, she answered, "Nap. Every day!" And she did.

In 1980, Carol married Teddy (Ted) Bear and they built a life outside of Rose Hill, Kansas.  In the more than four decades they were married, Carol and Ted raised children, dogs, (mostly feral) cats, and as so many of us know, tomatoes in the garden.  As a couple, they were lighthearted and hardworking.  As a wife, a sister, a mother, and a friend…she was supportive, encouraging, thoughtful, and curious.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband, Ted.  She is survived by her children, James McAllister (Cheryl), Steven McAllister, Donna Hottman (Michael), Alan McAllister, and Russell McAllister (Jennifer).  Carol has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  We will dearly miss the amazing woman whose door was always open, and who refused to let you leave on an empty stomach.