Carolyn Karrer

Carolyn Karrer, of Paris, Texas, died on July 30, 2023, just shy of her 83rd birthday.  She was a lifelong student and teacher, a lifelong Democrat and United Methodist, and a proud wife and mother.  

The only child of Monroe and Myrtle Tolle, she grew up in La Grange, TX, listening to ghost stories with her friend, Helen, and the sound of rain on the metal roof of her parents’ two-story house.  She loved playing in the yard next to the old Methodist church or inside on its piano and organ.  She played Alto Sax in band and helped teach her own high school math class. 

While at Southwest Texas State, she participated in the Campus Christian Community.  There, she met Ray Karrer.  They married in 1962and grew more in love every year.

They taught in Odessa and Brownwood.In between, Carolyn earned a Master’s Degree in History at North Texas State.  In 1969, she and Ray accepted jobs at Paris Junior Collegeand retired from PJC after 33 years.  Carolyn made sure her students knew the fascinating stories of U.S. and Texas history.  She even contributed to peace in the Middle East (really!).  

She was heavily involved at Calvary United Methodist Church (Paris, TX) in missions, music, the United Methodist Women,the local campus ministry, and regional prison ministries.

 She and Ray enjoyed traveling with friends and family and eventually their son, Clayton, who was born in 1975.In 2007, they welcomed daughter-in-law Cynthia to their family’s journey.

 Heart problems slowed but didn’t stop her. Even after Ray’s death in 2013, she continued traveling and serving God through her church, making new friends and keeping up with the old. 

On Monday, August 7, at 11 a.m., there will be a service at Monthalia Methodist Church in Cost, TX, immediately followed by burial next to her husband and parents.  

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Calvary UMC, the Wesley Campus Ministry at PJC in care of Calvary UMC, the Scholarship Fund in memory of Carolyn Karrer at PJC,or the organization or charity of the donor’s choice.