Obituary: Carol Ann Chrisenberry

March 25, 2026

Carol Ann Chrisenberry was born July 26, 1937 to John

Edgar Chrisenberry and Sylvia Irene (Kirk) Chrisenberry in

Blackwell, Oklahoma. She graduated from Blackwell High

School in 1955 and from the University of Oklahoma with a

Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance in 1960 and a

Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance in1963. She was a

member of Pi Kappa Lambda honorary music fraternity

where she studied voice at the Covent Gardens Opera in

England. Carol sang at both OU graduations in Owen

Stadium and had the honor of sitting next to the legendary

OU Head Football Coach, Bud Wilkinson on the platform.

Carol spent the summer of 1958 and 1059 singing at the

Star Light Theatre in Kansas City with many stars of the

day. From 1963 to 1968 Carol lived in New York City where she sang with the New York

Choral Society in memorial to President John F. Kennedy. She opened the Music Hall at

Lincoln Center in New York City with Ethel Merman in the revival of “Annie Get Your Gun” and

at the Broadway Theater before going on tour to major cities including Toronto, Canada. The

cast appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and made the special of “Annie” for ABC. At the

closing night dinner party Carol got to meet Irving Berlin and Richard Rogers.

In 1968 Carol returned to Blackwell where she married Maurice Meade, having one son Wiley

Maurice Meade. The marriage ended in divorce. Carol then returned to college where she

received her bachelors in music education from Central State University in Edmond,

Oklahoma, and a certificate in Orff Music Education from Pittsburg State University in

Pittsburg, Kansas. She taught professionally in Caldwell, Columbus, and Iola Kansas, for 24

years with many gifted students. She taught at Lincoln, LaHarpe and Gas Elementary Schools

in Iola and performed in many musicals with the Iola Community Theater at the Bowlus

Performing Arts Center. After retiring, she remained in Iola where she felt the most at home.

During this time Carol continued to teach private music lessons to students in the Iola area.

Carol was a member of St. John's Catholic Church where she was a cantor, choir director, and

accompanist. A loyal supporter of Allen County Animal rescue, she had many treasured cats

and dogs through the years. Carol was a member of the Kansas Teachers Association,

Kansas Orff Chapter, AFTRA and Actor's Equity. Carol was preceded in death by her infant

brother Max LeRoy, her parents, and brother Don Chrisenberry of Liberal, Kansas.

Carol is survived by her brother Arthur Chrisenberry, formerly of Berkley, California now of

Garnett Kansas and son Wiley and Ellen (Beard) Meade of Liberty, Missouri. Wiley and Ellen

are both teachers at Liberty High School where Wiley serves in the football and track

programs. Carol has five nieces and nephews: Ron and Terrie Chrisenberry of Wichita,

Kansas. Donna and Beaugh Findley of Houston, Texas. Connie and Dave Hale of Liberal,

Kansas. Jack and Susan Chrisenberry of Ft. Myers, Florida and Teena and Robert Tutt of

Tomball, Texas.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 11th, at 11am at the Blackwell Cemetery in

Blackwell Oklahoma. In place of flowers, please donate to a local animal shelter in Carol’s

name.