Funeral Services for Carolyn Carpenter Heard, age 76, of Early, Texas was held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Early First Baptist Church with Bro. Eddie Ailshie officiating. Interment followed at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The family received friends Saturday at the Heartland Funeral Home. She passed away Thursday, March 1 at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.
Mary Carolyn Carpenter Heard was born in El Paso on September 18, 1941 to Charles M. and Frances Evans Carpenter. She grew up on a ranch near Van Horn. After graduation she attended Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) before she married Eddie Heard July 21, 1961. They lived in Van Horn until they moved to Early, Texas in 1973. She is survived by her three sons David (Sandy) Heard of Brownwood, Charles (Julie) Heard of Ft. Worth, Jay (Misty) Heard of Brownwood and their dad Eddie Heard. Grandchildren Cassie (Matt) Rindal, Kristian Heard, Sydney Heard, Zac Heard, Nathan Heard, Justin Heard, Keelee Heard, Kenzee Heard, Addy Heard, great-grandson Jayden Heard, sisters Kay (Norm) Hoelting of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Paula Gildon of Fort Worth and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Carolyn worked many years for the City of Early water department and retired from there. She was an active member of First Baptist Church Early where she worked many years in the nursery and in Vacation Bible School. She later taught a ladies Sunday School class and taught children on Wednesday night with an emphasis on missions. She also ministered through her card ministry and taught a card class at FBC and a nursing home. After retirement she stayed busy volunteering at Good Samaritan and Hospice.
Carolyn has been described as a sweet, positive, upbeat, loving, person who never met a stranger. She was interested in others and always there to help family and friends. She loved helping people and often said “I can fix it” especially if it involved sewing. She had a knack for making people feel special and was always there when needed. Her smile and laugh were infectious. She was strong and confident in herself and in her faith. She enjoyed traveling and taking vacations with her sisters. She leaves those who knew her with a lot of sweet moments and precious memories.
Memorials can be given to Good Samaritan Ministries, PO Box 1136, Brownwood, TX 76804, 325 643-2273 where she volunteered on a regular basis.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
Services entrusted to Heartland Funeral Home in Early.
Judy Conoly-Horton
Judith Ann Conoly Horton passed away in Mexia, Texas on February 20. Judy was born on November 5, 1959, grew up in Van Horn and graduated from Van Horn High School (class of 1978). She married her husband Preston Horton in 1988. They were married for 25 years until he passed away in 2013. They worked together for Cannon Express Trucking Company which allowed her to see and experience most of the United States.
She and Preston then settled in Mexia. Judy worked at the Mexia State School until her retirement.
Judy had a kind and loving heart, she never met a stranger. We always laughed about her being the unofficial “Walmart Greeter”. She didn’t have much but still went out of her way to help others. She took in many of God’s small creatures and gave them a safe and loving home. She loved each and every one of them like they were her own children.
Judy is preceded in death by her husband, Preston Horton, her parents John and Martha Conoly, her brother, John Michael Conoly and her nephew Jake Engle. She is survived by her brother Tim Conoly and his wife Dawn, her sister Mary Agee and her husband John, her sister Donna Mamrosh and her husband Darryl, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial and graveside service celebrating Judy’s life is planned for a later date. The burial of Judy and Preston side by side next to Mom and Dad in the Van Horn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made in Judy’s memory to any animal shelter.
