Caroline Anne Earhart
Caroline Anne Earhart, 14, of Columbia, Mo., passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
She was born on January 19, 2010, at Boone Hospital in Columbia, the daughter of Todd Robert and Michelle Marie (Dimmitt) Earhart.
Caroline started pre-kindergarten at Vanderbilt Learning Center at age two in Naples, Florida, where she ruled the halls and knew no strangers. She then began kindergarten at Veteran Memorial Elementary School, where she attended through fourth grade. After moving back to Columbia with her family, she attended Beulah Ralph Elementary School and John Warner Middle School, where she was the captain of the cheer squad in eighth grade. Caroline was looking forward to starting her high school career at Father Tolton Catholic High School where she was a member of the varsity cheerleading team. She was a wonderful student who was enjoyed by all her teachers. Caroline excelled in creative writing, American History and Spanish.
Caroline had countless wonderful memories with her family – from Blazer rides to bike riding the Katy Trail with Archie in her backpack. She completed the annual Murph Challenge with her dad and brother, and they most recently attended the Peddlers Jamboree, which was an impressive thirty-five miles. Caroline and her mom always picked out the most darling outfits, complete with her signature hairbows. She had a strong bond with her brother, Luke. She looked forward to their gas station trips for junk food and competing with him on their PS-4.
An active girl, Caroline began dancing at a young age, played soccer, and was on the swim team. She was currently working to perfect her back handspring for cheerleading and was always a perfectionist, bound to get it right. Caroline was creative and enjoyed art, crafts, and all genres of music from Lana Del Rey to Taylor Swift. She loved nothing more than spending time with her girlfriends – sleepovers, dance parties, and trips to the mall.
Caroline enjoyed several amazing trips with her family. Spending her younger years in Florida, they spent hours searching for seashells, riding the boat and soaking up the sun; Islamorada was a favorite weekend spot where she was always sure to make a new friend. She was also proudly the first of her family to catch a shark. Caroline had future hopes and dreams of visiting New York with her mom and studying abroad in London, where she had aspirations to open a little bookstore.
Caroline was strong in her faith and was baptized as an infant at Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church by the Reverend Msgr. Michael Flanagan. She was diligent about reading her daily devotionals, even picking out and sharing her favorite scriptures with her family. Caroline will be remembered for being kind, caring, funny, and always being a bright and peaceful light in everyone’s life.
Survivors include her parents; her brother, Luke Earhart of Columbia; her grandparents, G.W. and Judy Dimmitt of Shelbina, Mo. and Paula Earhart of Liberty, Mo.; her aunts and uncles, Janna Thomason (Jay) of Rayville, Mo., Daniel Earhart (Jeanne) of Roeland Park, Kansas, and Jake Dimmitt (Maureen) of St. Charles, Mo.; her cousins, led by her soul sister, Aubrey Thomasan (David Siegfried), Nick Thomasan, Paul Earhart, Owen Earhart, Ben Dimmitt, Mason Dimmitt; and her beloved dog, Archie.
Caroline was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Earhart; and great-grandparents, George and Emma Lu Dimmitt, Bernice Pauly, Paul and Jean Waltemath, and Robert and Margaret Earhart.
A Prayer Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2024, at Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church, 903 Bernadette Dr, Columbia, Mo. 65203. Visitation will follow from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2024, at the church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church with the Very Reverend Christopher Cordes officiating. Graveside services and interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Shelbina, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Father Tolton Catholic High School to be used in memory of Caroline. Please feel free to mail any donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.
