Obituary provided by the family of Gaitha Carlin.

Gaitha Lou Prier was born December 21, 1944, to Marvin L and Ora Maxine (Harris) Prier of Stella, Missouri.

She graduated from stella High School in 1962.  She dated Leonard Carlin thru-out high school and although they took separate paths to begin with, they ended up marrying on June 28, 1986.

Together, they spent their lives working side by side and built a successful business, Gay-Len Plumbing, in Joplin, Missouri.  They sold the business in 2006 and retired.  +

Leonard proceeded her in death in 2019.  Also proceeding her in death, her parents, one infant daughter, Bonita, Leonard's parents, and one sister, Sue Clark.

She is survived by two sons; Shad (Michele) Stussy of Joplin, and Tony (Janet) Stussy of Seneca, 3 grandchildren; Anthony Stussy of Neosho, Amanda Stussy of Joplin, and Sagan Evans of round Rock, Texas, 1 great grandchild, Waylon Montgomery, 1 sister, Linda Trevino of Joplin, and numerous extended family who will all miss her greatly.