Carol Joyce Maplesden

Born November 19, 1922 to Charles Augustus Pitts and Mary Susanna (Hathaway) Pitts. The middle child of nine children, Charles Albert (1915, died as an infant), Marjorie Estelle (1917), Mary Amanda (1919), Dorothy Beryl (1920), Carol Joyce (1922), Hubert George (1924), Elinor Anne (1926), Elaine Edith (1927), Inez Lucy (1928). Mary Pitts was 25 years old when her first child was born. Carol's growing up years were spent at Noyes Valley Ranch that her dad and uncles owned. She attended East Fork school on the Parker Ranch about a mile and a half over a hill from their house. She rode a horse or walked to school and it was literally uphill both ways, as the old saying goes, "in three feet of snow" was seasonal. Later she attended Etna Union High School and graduated valedictorian. Her and her brother and sisters had many fun days growing up in Noyes Valley. On April 5, 1941 she married Charles V. Maplesden. Three children were born to this union. Lynn Marie (11/7/1942-8/20/1948), Stanley Charles (3/26/48-9/8/78) and Larry A. (9/26/50). The family lived in several places in Scott Valley and also in Nevada until 1946 when they purchased a house in Greenview. In the fall of 1956 they purchased the apple orchard up South Kidder Creek Road. Incidentally, the oldest trees at the orchard were planted the year Carol was born. She had a huge garden every year and was usually busy selling apples and cider in the fall. Most days in the spring and summer she would take her sheep dog "Sugar" and her sheep herd up into the hills behind the orchard for daily feedings. That place was sold in 1976 and became a christian youth camp. She and Charles bounced around from a place they purchased in Greenview to places in Nevada (they often talked about a place called Home Camp in Nevada as being their favorite) and Oregon and then back to Greenview eventually settling at the old Greenview Creamery that had been converted into a house. They lived there from the mid 80's to present. Charles passed away in August 2006. Carol was very involved with many hobbies from bible studies to bowling and stayed very busy gardening and going to farmers markets. In late 2018 she began suffering from mild dementia. Larry came and stayed with her to help with cooking and cleaning. In November 2019 she suffered a broken hip. At that time the dementia worsened slightly and continued, very slowly, to worsen as the months passed. She was a wonderful patient, always quiet and never got angry, willing to do anything that was asked. She is survived by her son Larry A. Maplesden (Bonnie) of John Day, Oregon, one sister Dorothy Butler of Fort Jones, daughter-in-law Linda Purvis (Ed) of Rice, Washington, four grandchildren: Stacy Maplesden, Nate (Sarah) Maplesden, Caleb (Sheri) Maplesden, and Shannon Shore, eleven great grandchildren: Mathew and Abby Pierce (Stacy), Davis, Mitchell, Levi, Tucker, Micah (Nate), Jessy Ann, Wyatt Arthur, Morgen Alan, Annie Mae (Shannon) 1 great great grandchild, Noelia (Davis), numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Madrone Hospice or the charity of one's choice. A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Etna on Friday, November 5 at 11 AM. A family graveside memorial service for interment of their ashes will be planned at a later date.

Carol Joyce Maplesden

November 19, 1922 - October 19, 2021