Carol Jean (Alexander) Haley

Carol Jean Haley, 81, of Hannibal, Missouri, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Beth Haven Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Chaplain Mark Burkey will officiate. Burial will follow at Grand View Burial Park.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carol's life during visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Carol was born on February 24, 1945, in Hannibal, Missouri, the daughter of James William and Ethel Louise (Kuhns) Alexander.

She was first married to Leroy L. Stolberg in 1969 and later married Warren M. Haley in 1981. Warren preceded her in death in 2011.

Carol is lovingly survived by her daughter, Brandi Lionberger and husband Kevin of Hannibal, Missouri; her grandsons, Ryan Lionberger and Caleb Lionberger and wife Judy, all of Hannibal; her treasured great-granddaughter, Riley Jane Lionberger; her brother, James Glenn Alexander of Salem, New Hampshire; and her 2 beloved nieces (Lynn and Joanne) and 6 nephews (Brian, Stuart, Sean, Damon, Darren & Michael)

In addition to her parents and husband Warren, Carol was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth Alexander; her sister, Betty Alexander; her sister-in-law, Virginia Alexander and her infant grandson, Alex Lionberger.

A 1963 graduate of Hannibal High School, Carol continued her education at the University of Missouri and later attended Gem City Business College. Early in her career, she worked as a paralegal in Minneapolis & for a local law office. After becoming a mother, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her daughter and caring for her home.

Carol found joy in creative pursuits, including sewing, crafting, painting, tending to her houseplants, and making latch-hook rugs, and caring for her parakeet named Chipper. She also enjoyed a good milkshake, Mark Twain Dinette "Frost Top" root beer, hot & iced coffee, or sharing pizza with her daughter & grandsons. Carol most enjoyed 60's pop music, The Carpenters, Roger Miller, Sinatra and watching old Carol Burnett and Little House episodes.

Above all, Carol cherished time spent with her family and became quite attached to her staff at Beth Haven in recent years, who loved her spunk and "special names" that she gave her most beloved staff. Carol was a Baptist by faith and lived a life marked by kindness, devotion to family, and a generous spirit. Although she was very modest and a bit shy, Carol took pride in playing piano, singing and playing old hymns on the church organ on occasion, and was once named Miss Congeniality in the Miss Hannibal Pageant.

Some of her happiest moments were spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles & beloved cousins. She cherished volunteering as a YMCA Camp Counselor at Camp Oko-Tipi, playing weekly games of Scrabble with her sister & parents, camping and vacationing to many Missouri Parks & historical landmarks, creating memories that will be treasured for years to come. Despite the mental health challenges she dealt with during much of her adult life, she did not allow it to consume her, nor dampen her fun-loving and often sarcastic personality.

Pallbearers will be Gregory Lionberger, Ryan Lionberger, Caleb Lionberger, Steven Alexander, Damon Alexander & Tim Kane.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Brian, Stu and Sean Seley; Kevin Lionberger, & Curtis Lewis.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hannibal Nutrition Center in honor of the Hannibal High School Class of 1963.

Online condolences may be shared with the family, and a video tribute may be viewed on Carol's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com