She was born Dec. 3, 1935, in Lawrence, the daughter of Carl and Marion (Gilbraith) Clifton. She attended Lawrence public schools and graduated from Kansas University in May 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Mrs. Church taught for four years at Holiday Junior High, Topeka, and then moved to Lawrence. She was an original member of the South Junior High faculty and taught there for 24 years, retiring in 1993. In 1987, she received a master’s degree in education from KU.

At South Junior High she coached basketball, volleyball and track. She also helped start the Cougar Run and sponsored the cheerleaders. She served as athletic director for several years before retiring.

Mrs. Church was a lifetime member of the Kansas National Education Assn., the National Educational Assn., and the Lawrence Education Assn., serving there as a member of the negotiating team.

Her KU affiliations included a membership in the Endowment Association, the Education Assn., the Alumni Association and Gamma Phi social sorority.

She was a benefactor for the Lawrence Humane Society and a volunteer for many area athletic and recreational events, Lawrence Visitors’ Center and Lied Center. She served as a board member of the Educom Credit Union and a member of Lawrence Police Departments’ Citizens’ Academy.

She married Earl Church. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Curt Church, Phoenix, and Clint Church, Lawrence; a sister, Ann Schiltz, Hewitt, Tex.; and a grandson.

The family suggests memorials to Lawrence Humane Society, Hospice Care of Douglas County or to the Carol Clifton Church Memorial Scholarship Fund at U.S. Bank, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.