Carleton (Fox) (Price) (Walton) -Peters

Phyllis Carleton (Fox)(Price)(Walton) Peters

February 23, 1918 – January 31, 2021

Carleton Peters passed away, peacefully in her sleep, at the celebrated age of 102, in Mesa, Arizona, on Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2021, at Legacy Retirement Residence in Mesa, Arizona – just 23 days before her 103 ^rd birthday.  She did everything she wanted to do, and then some, and it was, finally, time to go!  She was probably dreaming of the glorious reunions to come, with all the wonderful people she has known, and missed for so long.  She loved her neighbors, her bridge partners, her golf buddies, her travel companions, her students, her dance partners, her brothers and sisters, and all the other remarkable people she met on her long, and fascinating journey.

Carleton was born February 23, 1918, to Hazelle (Morey) and George Fox, on a farm near Clark, South Dakota - the oldest of six children.  She enjoyed a simple, happy childhood, always wanting to be a teacher.  Her siblings were the perfect captive audience for honing her skills.  As a child, she would often get caught, taking her pet pig to bed with her!   At age 11, she started driving a truck, barely able to reach the pedals.

After she graduated from Teacher's College in Minot, North Dakota, she taught for many years in Ash Consolidated, Willow Lake, Doland, Henry, Garden City, and Clark, South Dakota.  She returned to get her BA, and was working towards her Master's degree, when a great teaching opportunity moved her family to Watertown, SD.  She mainly taught math and science for 32 years, and was beloved by her students - many of whom stayed in contact with her, via emails and visits, throughout her lifetime.  She was acknowledged as an important role model in one of her student's published memoirs, highlighting the power of animated suggestion.   Carleton had visited California, and exuberantly reported back to her students that juicy oranges were all along the roadside, and were only five cents!  That was incentive enough!  This was only a dream in dusty South Dakota in the 1930's, but some students grew up, and moved to California.

Carleton survived the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic AND the Covid19 virus pandemic last year.  She survived three husbands, and all her siblings.  She married Curtis Roland Price in 1941; they had two children, James Curtis Price and Kimberly Ann Price.  Curtis died of a heart attack in 1961, at the age of 51.   In 1964, Carleton married Earl Walton.  In 1973, Carleton married Howard Peters.

Carleton was a very creative designer, an energetic participant in all things fun, and a multi-dimensional woman with interests in gardening, politics, and baking.  Many nights, you could find her in the kitchen at midnight, baking cookies for a charity event.  She had green-thumb talents in roses, vegetables, and lemon trees.  Besides being a master teacher, she was a world traveler, and an artist.  She painted wild animals and Indians, sewed all the drapes in her homes, walked two miles each day, and had a passion for cards - especially bridge, playing five times a week.  She received 50-year-pins for P.E.O., Eastern Star and American Legion Auxiliary.  Carleton was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ.  She was loved by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and five siblings:  Joey, Patricia, Merriam, James and George Donald.  Survived by her son, Dr. James Curtis Price (Theresa) of Scottsdale AZ, her daughter, Kimberly Ann Price (Dr. Charles Voas) of Dallas TX, three handsome grandsons, Dr. Andrew Price (Dr. Cindy Price) of Scottsdale AZ, Scott Price – former Naval SEAL, of Tempe, AZ, Greg Price, of Tempe, AZ, granddaughter Madison Kerley, of Dallas TX, two great-grandchildren, Carter and Luke Price, and many friends of all ages.

Carleton was especially grateful for her thoughtful and kind daughter-in-law Kay Price.  For years, Kay visited her each and every Sunday afternoon for Tea Time, bringing along her little spitfire-energy-booster dog Freddie, cookies, and family stories to tell.  Carleton really looked forward to that special time.

In Loving Memory.

Due to COVID19 virus restrictions, there will be no funeral or memorial service, at this time. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark.

The Furness Funeral Home of Clark is assisting the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com