1948~2017

Carla Jean Grover, 68 – beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend – passed away Saturday evening, April 15, 2017, at Parkview Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado.  She was born on September 10, 1948 in Alton, Illinois – the daughter of C. Ernest and Rosemary (Cherry) Smith.  She is survived by her husband Arthur “Bud” Grover, married on January 1, 1969.  Survivors also include her son Andrew W. Grover, his wife Cathy and their daughters Peri and Maya (of Denver, CO), and her daughter Heather L. G. Bella, her husband Sam, and their daughter Willow (of Hobart, IN).  She is also survived by her brothers Steven Smith, Larry Smith, and her sister Cherry (Smith) Blair.

Carla spent over 20 years as a medical transcriptionist, and she used to sing and play organ for her hometown church.  She adored her grandchildren, and was a tremendous blessing with her help and care.  She was an avid lover of wildlife and the outdoors, finally retiring with her husband to a gorgeous high-desert canyon property in the south of Pueblo, which is frequented by hawks, elk, bobcats, and more.  She would hike and have picnics with her granddaughters under the junipers.  She enjoyed a daily dose of chocolate, Bluegrass and Western music festivals in the mountains, antiquing, and thrift stores.  When her health still allowed, she enjoyed the community and Sunday services at Central Christian Church in Pueblo.

While Carla suffered from chronic pain, she refused to let that stop her from enjoying life by planting flowers, photographing nature and wildlife, having Friday night pizza and game nights with friends, or taking her granddaughter for a walk on a sunny day.  She was generous, kind, funny and loving through thick and thin. She will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo.