Carolyn Hye Becknell Weatherby danced into Heaven surrounded by family, music, and prayer on November 19, 2023, following a brief illness complicated by dementia. She was born in San Angelo, Texas on April 23, 1941, to Marjorie Ritter and Howard Stacy Becknell. Carolyn was the youngest of three children and grew up in several small towns across West Texas.
Carolyn attended the Reagan County schools and in fifth grade met the love of her life, Theron Karman Weatherby. At Reagan County High School, she played basketball and volleyball on state-advancing teams, was a cheerleader, Student Council officer, Glee Club member, FHA member, Owl’s Hoot Staff member, was voted Junior Class Favorite and Basketball Sweetheart, and was crowned Mrs. RCHS for the class of 1959 alongside her long-time boyfriend. Her RCHS friends were extremely dear to Carolyn, and the group remained very close until her last day.
In January of 1959 (their senior year) Carolyn and Karman went to a “basketball tournament” but secretly married in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico. They completed their senior year with no one the wiser. After graduation, the couple left Big Lake to start their new life. While Karman studied, Carolyn worked and provided for their growing family: Timothy Carr, Jay Keith, Amy Camille, and Kristin Ann, encompassing what will forever be known as “TJAK”.
Carolyn worked in the UT Tower while she and Karman lived in Austin. Carolyn and the kids moved back to Big Lake to be close to family when Karman went to Vietnam. There she worked for O.W. Parker. They returned to Dallas where she honed her skills as a fundraiser, cake decorator, room mother, PTA member extraordinaire and mom. In 1974 they moved to San Angelo. To support her husband’s new medical practice, Carolyn not only worked in the front office, but she also served as nurse, cleaning woman, and business manager. Over the years, she managed multiple apartment complexes and rented and sold properties. All of this she did while being a pillar in the lives of her husband and four busy children, only occasionally forgetting to pick up Kristin from school.
Carolyn’s kitchen table was always open. She spent many late nights listening, not always agreeing with, but always supporting whoever ended up there - her friends, her children’s friends, and visitors from near and far. The invitation never expired or excluded. Carolyn welcomed people for hours or months into her home, but that famous hospitality was never extended to cats.
With the birth of her first grandchild, Carolyn transformed into her favorite role, that of Mimi. This role grew to embrace 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The house that was bought to downsize was added onto, all for the grandkids. As Mimi, she made sure the pool was ready, the playroom was always stocked with entertainment, the drink fridge was full, and whatever a grandchild wanted to eat magically appeared in the kitchen. If you needed a reminder to be nice or play fair, and the “look” did not do the trick, the wooden spoon sat by the stove.
Carolyn enjoyed spending her “free” time with Shannon Auxiliary “Pink Ladies”, decorating the Methodist Church Parsonage and Superintendent’s home, planning various events including multiple proms, Tri-Hi-Y formals, and the Brown Bag Ball. She literally danced across the state with her son Jay’s band, Texas Gold, and was the band’s booking agent, transport, and, of course, Mom. She would never turn down a trip to play slots in Hobbs, Shreveport, Vegas or anywhere else and always managed to hit a jackpot. Carolyn’s heart was full when driving around “The Place” with family. She always saw a “huge buck” and once harvested one. Her most-loved times were family gatherings with everybody talking, laughing, and eating, enjoying time together with lots of joy.
Carolyn lived by the Golden Rule and taught her children both by example and repetition. She was the Mom everyone wished they had and a Mimi that made everyone else jealous. Every event, school or extracurricular, was attended, every prom dress was handpicked, every party, birthday, graduation, or otherwise, was over the top. Her generous and servant heart will be remembered by all who knew her.
Carolyn was met in Heaven by many special people: her mother, Marjorie Becknell; father, Stacy Becknell; brother, Sonny Becknell; great granddaughter Olivia Rae Owens; nephews Jo Dean Weatherby, Jay Sim Weatherby, Jerry McCabe and Jeff Weatherby; her big sister and best friend, Ann McCabe Way; and Karman, who left an unfillable hole in her heart after a childhood of love and 51 years of marriage.
She leaves behind her son Tim and wife Claire of Vanderbilt, TX; son Jay and wife Jana of San Angelo; daughter Amy and husband Cal Hendrick of Odessa; and daughter Kristin and husband Ed Valicek of Houston. Mimi’s 12 grandchildren carry on her love of Christmas decorations, Fourth of July, Hallmark movies, UT Football and good smelling candles - Drew Weatherby, Scott Weatherby and wife Kyrsti, Allie Owens and husband John, Hunter Hendrick, Kaitlin Hendrick and fiancée James Payne, Ben Weatherby and fiancée Danielle Lewis, Caroline Weatherby and boyfriend Dylan Lane, Alex Valicek, Annie Valicek, Emily Valicek, Chandler Damuth and husband Zach, Landry Chipman and fiancée Trynity Manor. Her great grandchildren who brought such joy – Jolie and Piper Owens, Finnley Theron Weatherby, Parker Anne Owens and Tyler Chipman.
Other family members remaining to cherish her memory are her nephews Mike McCabe (Diana), Terry McCabe (Anna), Todd McCabe; nieces Kim Bundy (Scott), Brandi Ellis, Margo Gooding, Stacey Asbill (Brandon), Marjorie Maloney (Paul), Cindy Weatherby, Lynn Weatherby, and Yvette McCabe; sister-in-law Kay Ellis; as well as numerous great nephews and nieces, extended family and friends.
In addition to her blood relatives and every bit as loved is her friend, confidante, and caregiver Aurora Lozano. Aurora and her children and grandchildren are family - loved as those above and sometimes liked more!
Honorary Pallbearers are the RCHS Class of 1959
Pallbearers are nephews and great nephews Mike McCabe, Terry McCabe, Todd McCabe, Lane Worthington, Rusty Weatherby, John Weatherby, Jed Weatherby, Jacob McCabe, Cody McCabe, Cooper McCabe, Parker McCabe.
The family is grateful for the love and care shown to Carolyn over the last few years by Ramona Soto, Patty Delacruz, Nancy Rychlik, and Norma Martinez. More recently by the Staff of Shannon Hospital 4 North, Concho Hearts Hospice and Visiting Angels.
Carolyn loved flowers of all kinds and the family requests that in her memory you share flowers with someone you love. In addition, a memorial may be made to, Meals for the Elderly, White Rose Support at Shannon Hospital, San Angelo Autism Center, Spring Branch FFA - Houston, TX, Mighty Waters Retreat, Concho Hearts Hospice, Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas, where the Dr. T. Karman and Carolyn Weatherby Gallery is located, or any organization that is dedicated to the eradication of breast cancer.
On Saturday, November 25, following a family graveside service at Lawnhaven Memorial Garden, a Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 pm at First Methodist Church Celebration Hall, San Angelo, TX. A reception will follow the celebration. Help us celebrate her life by dressing in vibrant colors.
While no formal visitation is planned, those interested may visit Friday, November 24 from 8am-7pm or Saturday, November 25 from 8am-12pm at Harper’s Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.
Family and friends can share online condolences at
Posted online on November 21, 2023
Published in San Angelo Standard-Times
