Carla Rae Laiben, 68, of Ironton died March 3, 2024. Mrs. Laiben loved to paint, create and design sculptures, sing, play music on her fiddle and plant and tend to her flower garden. She was an animal lover and enjoyed taking care of and feeding stray pets that entered her yard. A past member of the Historical Society and Genealogy Society, she enjoyed learning about her past and the pasts of others. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and always being the “life of the party” when she was with friends and family. Born Feb. 25, 1956, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Luther Carl and Essie Rae (Knuckles) Radford.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years: David Randolph “Randy” Laiben; a son: Koby Radford of Herculaneum; a stepdaughter: Angela Laiben of Festus; three grandchildren: Mason, Ksiah and Bishop; two brothers: Randall (Patti) Radford of Festus and Rudy (Julia) Radford of Barnhart; a brother-in-law: Gregg (Dana) Laiben of Kansas City; and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by a stepson: Jacob Laiben; and a brother Larry Joe Radford.
Visitation is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at Cole Family Funeral Home, 210 E. Reynolds St., in Ironton. A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 7, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Arcadia Valley Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Iron County Animal Shelter or a shelter of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Cole Family Funeral Home.