Vanetta Newsom Carroll, was born January 20, 1938 in Wirth, Arkansas, to Howard Newsom and Alice (Wittman) Newsom. She departed this life on July 15, 2026 in West Plains, Missouri with family at her side.
Vanetta is survived by two sons, Sherman Douglas Carroll of Theodosia, Missouri and Kirk Howard Carroll of West Plains, Missouri; two grandchildren, Dillon Jessie Carroll of Castle Rock, Colorado and Blake Andrew Carroll of Springfield, Missouri.
She is preceded in death by both her parents; her husband Sherman Afton Carroll, and daughter April Carroll Mayfield.
After graduating high school Vanetta moved to Memphis and worked for Sears and Roebuck for about one year before deciding to move back and live in Thayer, Missouri. She worked at Wahlquist and Wahlquist CPA’S, the bank of Thayer, and for the law office of Pat Freeman. After working many years in Thayer, Vanetta moved to West Plains where she worked for the Office of State Courts as Circuit Court Clerk and served for Judge Henry, Judge Moore, and Judge Garrett, from which she retired.
Vanetta served the Lord all of her adult life and as a devout Chirstian she taught Sunday School for forty years.
Vanetta also served the community by working at the polls during many elections. As a concerned citizen of the community, in the summer of 2009 Vanetta gathered with a group of like-minded ladies in her home, and it was there that the beginning of the United Federated Republican Woman’s Club headquarted in West Plains, Missouri first began.
She was a devoted mother to her three children and grandmother of two.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for memorials be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Services will be held Monday July 20, 2026, at the First Baptist church in West Plains, Missouri at 11:00 am.
There will be a visitation at the church from 10:00 am until service time.
Burial will be in Thayer cemetery, Thayer, Missouri under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
July 18, 2026 @ 5:20 pm
And I’m sorry to hear this, she was a very nice lady
July 18, 2026 @ 6:24 pm
Sincere condolences
July 18, 2026 @ 11:13 pm
Vanetta was a wonderful sweet lady & an inspiration for many. My deepest sympathy to the family.
July 19, 2026 @ 12:25 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Vanetta’s passing. My love to all the family.
Cousin: Juanita Kathy Honeycutt Swartzel
July 20, 2026 @ 3:49 pm
Sorry to hear of Vanetta’s passing. She and I were among THS 1956. Always cherish her friendship.
July 21, 2026 @ 12:30 pm
Vanetta was such a beautiful lady inside and out. I have had the pleasure of knowing her for many years and had gotten really close when April passed and after. I spent many days visiting with Vanetta and she always found time to come to the Courthouse to see me. God made one of a kind with her and I will miss her dearly. Love to you sweet lady