Carrie Verdene (Miller) Talbert, 94, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Saturday (January 25, 2014) at the University Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

The daughter of Henry Nicholas and Stella Lou (Stewart) Miller, she was born July 6, 1919 in Greentop, Missouri. On August 28, 1940 in Queen City, Missouri, Carrie was united in marriage to Blake Eugene Talbert who preceded her in death in 1994. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Karen Sue Hudson; two brothers and one sister.

Carrie is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Allan Caraway of Kirksville, MO; four grandchildren, Todd Caraway and wife Angela, Kyle Caraway and wife Stacey, Melissa Hudson and Matthew Hudson; seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Carrie was a graduate from Greentop High School. She lived on a farm in rural Greentop with her husband Blake until his death and then moved to Kirksville, to make her home. She was a cook in many area restaurants including Bonfoy, Colonial Manor and Trading Post Inn until owning her own restaurant. Carrie later worked as a cook at the Greentop public school where she enjoyed the interaction with the students. Carrie was last a longtime employee for Hollister, Inc. until her retirement.

Carrie was a member of Trinity Methodist Church. She was always active in politics in Schuyler County as a member of the Democratic Committee and served as election judge for many years after moving to Kirksville.

Carrie never met a stranger and loved attending her grandchildren’s activities (from little league baseball to beauty pageants). She will be remembered for being a great cook and for her fabulous sugar cookies.

Public visitation will be held Wednesday (January 29, 2014) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday (January 30, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor Matt McKenney officiating. Interment will follow the service at Fugate Cemetery, northwest of Greentop, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Todd Caraway, Kyle Caraway, Matt Hudson, Blake Caraway, Nick Caraway and Zach Caraway.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Carrie Talbert may be made to the Fugate Cemetery. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.