Carole A. Sacks, 66, Atchison, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2023.
Carole leaves behind loving husband James,(Jim) Sacks Jr, whom she married march 23rd 1974 , they had 49 wonderful years together.
Carole also leaves behind daughter Tracey and her husband Joe. Son Dustin and his wife Mandi.
Carole had an older brother, Harry, who sadly passed last year, and leaves his wife Lindsey. Also leaving sister Joni with her husband Dave, sister Pauline with her husband Billy and little brother Fred with his wife Lesley.
She has one grandson, Jayden, son of Tracey, and nieces and nephews, Reuben and Dominic, Levi and Lisa, and Bridieand Billy.
Carole was born in a small village called Bodham, in Rural Norfolk, England, youngest daughter of Harry & Joan ....born of a proud Romany gypsy heritage reaching back 100’s of years.
As a child, her family moved frequently, usually around the Norfolk countryside. That certainly didn’t change when she met the young Jim Sacks who had just joined the USAF and was stationed in England. This dashing American in his impressive uniform, swept her off her feet, and there began a love story that was to last her lifetime, and beyond.
Jim and Carole agreed they should continue to live in England until Jim Retired. As the wife of a serviceman they were constantly moving, but Carole dug her heels in and refused to live on base, and got her own way...of course :)
They obviously made many great friends in many different towns and villages, but they happened to meet a very special couple in an English town called “Kings Sutton.” This was Ray and Olga, they were to become lifelong friends sharing many adventures that perhaps we shouldn’t repeat... did I mention Ray and Olga owned the village pub which was conveniently positioned directly opposite Jim and Carole’s home in kings Sutton?? Mmmmmm... wonder who chose that particular house!! :)
Eventually in 1994 Jims retirement date finally arrived and Jim and Carole made the crossing across the pond , Dragging Tracey and Dustin kicking and screaming along with them, !!Ha ha And so from life in the quaint English countryside, Carole and Jim began a new life’s adventure in the sprawling hills of Atchison rural Kansas.
Carole always had her beloved four legged friends with her. One of her greatest loves in life were animals, especially of course, her dogs and cats. Upon arriving in Kansas Carole went around all the local farms, asking farmers to please not shoot her dogs if they strayed onto their land and chased their cattle... they probably thought she was some nutty English lady.... and they weren’t too far off wrong!! :) but thankfully, it never happened, (or at least they never got caught in the act,) :)much to Carole’s relief.
One of Carole’s favourite past times was walking her spaniel Pudge down the trail to the woods at the back of the farm, andthose were extra special when grandson Jayden visited and he would accompany her EVERY day.... The simple pleasures in life are what made Carole the happiest.
Cattle, Deer, Possum’s, coyote’s, skunks and snakes soonbecame Carole’s countryside companions, (though not all of them welcome ones)! But Carole had some unique 4 legged mooing friends over the years here, and we have promised to continue caring for and hand feeding her doe eyed cow Luna, who was a very special gift from Nelson and Mary.
Carole really loved her birds, and probably spent more on bird food over the winters than feeding the family. :) The cardinals were her (almost) favourite, but number one position goes to the humming birds. The feeders put out early and taken down late to ensure they had full tummy’s before they departed and had food waiting upon their return. She would sit for hours on the front porch with them humming and buzzing around her, dive bombing and fighting for the one feeder, even though there are 5 hanging. Sadly, Carole is not here to see them this year, but we await their return, so we can sit on the porch watching them, smile and remember.....
In 2015 Carole and Jim were both finally able to retire and start enjoying their well earned leisure time together. And enjoy it they certainly did.
Once spring arrived, up at 5 am and off golfing!! Jim the one doing the walking and swinging of the clubs, (whether he hit the ball or not is debatable)... and Carole tootling along driving the golf cart, watching to see where his golf balls went-and was actually pretty darn good at it, which is just as well,as generally Jim didn’t have a clue!!
Then lunch out at Tenpenny’s or Bailey’s, shopping, and the obligatory stop at Benny’s on the way home... where a tipple or 2 would be enjoyed in the company of friends who had come to know and love the Carole we all love so much.
And after leaving Bennies on the short drive home, she insisted that was the perfect time to call long distance to Dustin or Tracey.... EVERY DAY... same hills.... crackle crackle... hello.... I’m on the hills crackle crackle at the moment so we...crackle crackle, may be crackle... cut off.... crackle crackle..BBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Never did manage a conversation!! :) :) :)
Still called every day!!!! :) :)
ALWAYs a smile on her face... and we mean ALWAYS!!! Searching through photographs that have been taken over the many years of her and Jim’s life together we did not find ONE where she didn’t have that beautiful smile on her face. That special smile that came from the heart and lit up her eyes. Carole never had a bad word to say about anyone and always picked out the best in everyone. Everyone that knew her couldn’t help but love her. Beautiful, funny (even when she didn’t mean to be) loving, amazing lady with the biggest heart ever.
Another favourite past time of Carole’s she inherited from her dad, the art of family card playing.... whether staying with Tracey in North Carolina, Visiting her English relatives, or chilling at home family sat around the table chatting and enjoying her home made sausage rolls.. (which were AMAZING) a pack of cards were always at hand. Ace to King was a favourite of hers, and to be fair, she could be pretty good at depending on the tipples of brandy!!!.
Over the years Carole helped us all make some very special memories, and I bet none didn’t bring at least a smile to our faces, though to be fair, it was usually a belly laugh! Keep those memories vivid, never let them fade... never stop smiling when you reminisce. Thats how Carole wants to be remembered..
Through the past few years of her health issues, she still never stopped smiling. We would laugh and joke with Carole about things that “normal” people wouldn’t even dream of mentioning. And fight..... damn, this special lady had more fight in her than you could ever imagine. Carole would NOT be beaten, and amazed us all, including the medical profession, by bouncing back and enjoying life to the absolute full. Still laughing, still golfing and enjoying her days out when she had been told those days were over.... She wasn’t taking any notice of that nonsense!!!
And then one day,........ Carole was ready.
Carole was ready to join her loved ones waiting for her.
Her heart and mind finally accepted that her body could no longer be controlled by her super strong will and love of life. And the battle was over.
Well, almost...
Carole’s last hours were spent surrounded by her closest family, and a pastor called Andy, who had come to help us all through the final hours. Little did we know what a difference this man was going to make to us all when he arrived. After chatting for a while, we discovered he was actually a musician, and yes, he had his guitar in the car... would we like him to play a few songs? Hell yes!!!
And so he did. Singing and playing some of Carole’s favourites and we all sat around singing along, enjoying a tipple or 2, and remarked how amazing it would be if Carole could leave us while he was here. But, we knew that was unlikely, as we believed she had a little longer. Then it was jokingly suggested that we pay Andy time and a half to stay overnight!! JJ... Now Carole, forever “thrifty” obviously heard this, and within the hour, while he was still serenading her, a small twitch of a smile appeared on Carole’s lips, she gave her last breath... and decided to leave.
Pain free and at peace.
Still the special lady we all know and love, and yes.... still smiling (and thrifty) to the very end.Safe journey Carole. xxxx
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 5 to 7 P.M. at Davis Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be April 26, 2023, 10 A.M. at Davis Funeral Chapel with burial to follow at Round Prairie Cemetery.
