Obituary of Carlene Embree

Carlene Embree left this world on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the age of 93 years old while living at Axiom Healthcare in Rosiclare Illinois. She was born December 7,1931, to Carl and Molly (Ginger) Riley. Being the youngest and the only girl of their three children she was protected and spoiled by her two older brothers and parents. She grew up in and around Elizabethtown IL.
Carlene married Jolly Grounds early in life and to this union one daughter was born, Sandra.
Over the years Carlene attended beauty school in Paducah, Kentucky and set up shop in Elizabethtown. As she continued to work, her business grew. Customers and friends would stop in for a cup of coffee or Coke, and since she enjoyed cooking sometimes there were desserts to enjoy, along with lots of kidding, fun and laughter.
Carlene eventually married Carl Embree and they made their home together in Elizabethtown. By that time there were grandsons to spoil with some calling her Granny and some calling her Tee Tee. They both enjoyed babysitting and playing with their grandsons. After many years Carlene was blessed with a red headed great-granddaughter, Ava Maria.
Carlene attended First Baptist Church in Rosiclare for many years before her illness and she made sure the grandchildren attended also.
She definitely did not like her first name which was Selma and would give dirty looks to the person who called her by that name.
Carlene was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Molly Riley; older brother and sister-in-law, Carl, Jr. and Jewell Riley; brother and sister-in-law, Barton and Imogene Riley; husbands, Jolly Grounds and Carl Embree; and grandson, Scott Schutt.
She is survived by a daughter, Sandra (Jimmy Ray) Belford; nephew, Dennis Riley; niece, Barbara Jo (Randy) Patterson; grandson, James Carl (Tracy) Belford; grandson, John Ray (Mary) Belford; and great-granddaughter Ava Maria.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25th, 2025, at Peters Creek Cemetery Elizabethtown IL.
Visit alyfh.com to leave an online condolence.

Published in the January 23, 2025 Hardin County Independent.

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