Carolyn Grissom Barfield
of Kerrville, TX
July 30, 1932 - December 16, 2023
- Obituary
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Carolyn Grissom Barfield passed away peacefully in her Kerrville, Texas home on December 16, 2023 at the age of 91. She was surrounded by her family.
Carolyn was born to Melba Thompson and Joe Bryan Grissom, July 30, 1932 in Houston, Texas. She was the youngest of their six children.
In 1944, the family moved to Waco, Texas, where she was a cheerleader for Waco Tigers' last state football championship team and graduated from Waco High School in 1948. She attended the University of Texas, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and president of Alpha Lambda Theta, Freshman Women's Honorary Fraternity. Later, she returned to college studies and graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Texas State University in 1984.
She married Bourdon Rea Barfield, January 4, 1951, and moved to Amarillo, Texas. Carolyn loved Amarillo and was a leader in some of its civic activities. She served as President of the Junior League, President of the Amarillo Public Library Board, President of Friends of the Library and was a member of Amarillo Girl Scout Board and the Children's Psychiatric Center Board. She was also involved in the school activities of her four children and a member of St. Andrews Episcopal choir. Carolyn and B.R. moved to Kerrville, Texas in 2011 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Carolyn was a gifted musician, a voracious reader, an ardent bridge player and an expert knitter. She was admired by all who knew her for her style, grace, and sense of humor.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; all five of her siblings; her husband, B.R.; and by a beloved son, John Callaway Barfield.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Deyanne Barfield of Flagstaff, AZ, Amanda Barfield Williams and husband David of Kerrville, TX, and Bourdon Ivy Barfield and wife Melanie of Fairview, TX; her grandchildren, Rebecca Williams Whitaker, Liz Williams Keator, CeCe Barfield Thompson, Bo Barfield, Annabel Barfield Nguyen, Callie Barfield Piluzza, Brooke Barfield Reeter, AnnMarie Barfield Krejci, Abbi Barfield Carmichael; and her great-grandchildren, Laney Keator, Emmie Keator, William Whitaker, Leo, Margo and Gus Nguyen, Bowman Piluzza, Tilly Reeter, Rhodes Carmichael, Grace, and Pryor Thompson.
Carolyn's family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to those who have contributed to her life and care, including Dr. James Young, Debbie Foster with Peterson Hospice and her loving caregivers, Judy Ligon and Elda Solano Rivera.
The Family asks that those who wish to honor her life and memory make charitable contributions to Peterson Health Foundation, 551 Hill Country Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028.
A private family memorial service will be held in Amarillo in January. Carolyn will be laid to rest in the family plot next to her husband B.R. at Llano Cemetery.
Carolyn was born to Melba Thompson and Joe Bryan Grissom, July 30, 1932 in Houston, Texas. She was the youngest of their six children.
In 1944, the family moved to Waco, Texas, where she was a cheerleader for Waco Tigers' last state football championship team and graduated from Waco High School in 1948. She attended the University of Texas, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and president of Alpha Lambda Theta, Freshman Women's Honorary Fraternity. Later, she returned to college studies and graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Texas State University in 1984.
She married Bourdon Rea Barfield, January 4, 1951, and moved to Amarillo, Texas. Carolyn loved Amarillo and was a leader in some of its civic activities. She served as President of the Junior League, President of the Amarillo Public Library Board, President of Friends of the Library and was a member of Amarillo Girl Scout Board and the Children's Psychiatric Center Board. She was also involved in the school activities of her four children and a member of St. Andrews Episcopal choir. Carolyn and B.R. moved to Kerrville, Texas in 2011 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Carolyn was a gifted musician, a voracious reader, an ardent bridge player and an expert knitter. She was admired by all who knew her for her style, grace, and sense of humor.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; all five of her siblings; her husband, B.R.; and by a beloved son, John Callaway Barfield.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Deyanne Barfield of Flagstaff, AZ, Amanda Barfield Williams and husband David of Kerrville, TX, and Bourdon Ivy Barfield and wife Melanie of Fairview, TX; her grandchildren, Rebecca Williams Whitaker, Liz Williams Keator, CeCe Barfield Thompson, Bo Barfield, Annabel Barfield Nguyen, Callie Barfield Piluzza, Brooke Barfield Reeter, AnnMarie Barfield Krejci, Abbi Barfield Carmichael; and her great-grandchildren, Laney Keator, Emmie Keator, William Whitaker, Leo, Margo and Gus Nguyen, Bowman Piluzza, Tilly Reeter, Rhodes Carmichael, Grace, and Pryor Thompson.
Carolyn's family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to those who have contributed to her life and care, including Dr. James Young, Debbie Foster with Peterson Hospice and her loving caregivers, Judy Ligon and Elda Solano Rivera.
The Family asks that those who wish to honor her life and memory make charitable contributions to Peterson Health Foundation, 551 Hill Country Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028.
A private family memorial service will be held in Amarillo in January. Carolyn will be laid to rest in the family plot next to her husband B.R. at Llano Cemetery.
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1 Condolence(s)
Carol & Paul Mosher
Altoona, FL
Thursday, January 11, 2024
We send our sincerest sympathies to cousins and all in Aunt Carolyn’s family. She was an amazing woman, and she will be greatly missed. Tuggie and Papa Joe have all their kids with them once more! May she rest in peace.