Kristin L. Center

Kristin L. Center, 44, of Sullivan, MO, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023.

Kristin Louise Center was born on April 8, 1979, to Barbara Jones. After the loss of a grandfather who cherished her dearly, Kristin’s childhood was marked by both the love of her mother and grandmother, Joyce Adams, who played a significant role in Kristin’s upbringing. Having lived in Sullivan all of her life, Kristin was always an active member of life in the community, playing on the basketball team and in the band and color guard in high school and working in the gift boutique at Strauser’s Drugs in its heyday.

Kristin was married to her high school sweetheart, Justin Center, on May 5, 2001. They were blessed with two sons in 2002 and 2006: Trevin and Nolan. Kristin was the heartbeat of her family, and a life well-lived with her boys was pure joy to her. There was rarely a Friday or Saturday night that Justin and Kristin did not spend together; in recent years they were most often found at home, the football field, or their river plot. Kristin enjoyed commemorating her sons’ lives by taking photos at every game, wrestling match, choir concert, graduation, award ceremony, or school dance. She also loved to honor her extended Center family by taking her camera down to the river and documenting the space throughout the seasons.

Photography was just one of Kristin’s creative outlets, however. She was exceedingly skilled at crafts of all sorts, blessing those around her with crocheted blankets upon the arrival of new babies and gifts with such exquisite wrapping that they were often a work of art in and of themselves. Her design and decorating skills are nearly legendary within the family—anniversaries, baby and bridal showers, and graduation parties were always beautiful and personal. In addition to her creative endeavors, Kristin was also a skilled dental hygienist who took great pride in her career and genuinely loved her job. Whether in the home or in the office, Kristin sought to bring beauty and order to the world around her and blessed others by doing so.

Kristin was indeed an exemplary wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, aunt, niece, and cousin. However, the legacy that she ultimately wanted to leave was one of faith. Forever selfless and wanting to take care of everyone, she was burdened for the hearts and souls of those around her and would frequently request prayer on their behalf. She had a passion for involvement in her church, Temple Baptist, which resulted in two missions to Guatemala, singing in the church choir, teaching preschool Sunday School for several years, and serving as a greeter with her family regularly. While the last year of her life was marked by much hardship, Kristin clung to her faith more than ever before and expressed a desire to live a life of simplicity where she could walk humbly with God. Those of us that will miss her most rejoice that her heart’s desire has now been answered as she has entered into a glorious eternity with her Savior.

Kristin is survived by her loving husband, Justin; her two sons:  Trevin and Nolan; her mother, Barbara Jones of Sullivan; mother-in-law, Mary Ann Center of Sullivan, MO; sister-in-law, Kellie Smith and husband, Robbin of Sullivan; brother-in-law, Rolla “Michael” Center and fiancée, Bridget Schroepfer of Leslie, MO; nieces and nephews:  Owen & Abigail Smith, Kendall Stricklin and her husband, Seth, Taylor Jones and her husband, Brad, Christian & Zachary Center; two great-nephews, Griffin & Theodore; aunts and uncles:  Gordon Adams and wife, April of Ramona, CA, Eric Adams of New Haven, MO, Jill Illy and husband, Jim of St. Charles, MO; and Diane Adams of Mission Viejo, CA; cousins:  Elizabeth Strike and husband, Jeff, Lucas Adams, Brett Adams, Amanda Adams, Janean Sieckmann and husband, Mike, Julianna Ruckman and husband, Jeff; and other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Gordon and Joyce Adams and father-in-law, Rolla “Gene” Center.

Services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Temple Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Perry officiating. Interment will follow at the I.O.O.F Cemetery, Sullivan.

Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, August 11, 2023 at Temple Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be given to any of the following Temple Baptist Church ministries:  Operation Christmas Child / Guatemala Mission Fund / TBC Ministry Resource Team (MRT).

Friends may send their online condolences to Kristin’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

All arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan.