Carolyn J. Conn “Mimi”

Carolyn, our beloved wife, mother, Mimi, aunt, and friend, was called home by the Lord on Wednesday May 27, 2026 at the Franklin Nursing Home. Carolyn Juanita (Cawthon) Conn was born on December 7, 1938 in Childress, Texas, to Velma Rudene (Mullins) and Walter (Tead) Cooper Cawthon. She grew up in north Texas and also spent time attending school in California before returning to attend Childress High School where she was an A student. On August 12, 1955, she married the love of her life, Jerry Eugene Conn, Sr. Together they built a beautiful life, married almost 71 years, and were blessed with four sons: Jerry, Jr. “Gene” ~ Gary and wife, Lisa ~ Terry and wife, Margaret ~ Larry and wife, Sherrie.

Until October of 1971 Carolyn, Jerry, and family lived at Tell, Texas near Jerry’s parents, Merrell Herbert (MH) and Ruby Nell Conn. Carolyn was a homemaker and farmer’s wife to Jerry, a dry land cotton farmer like his dad. While caring for the boys at home, Carolyn got a reputation for breaking hoe handles killing rattlesnakes at the Groseclose Place in the early 1960’s. As a young wife Carolyn enjoyed the Tell Home Demonstration Club and socializing with other young mothers and numerous friends that she and Jerry met while growing up in the Childress area. Things took a dramatic turn in October of 1971 when Jerry and Carolyn made the tough decision to move their family 380 miles south to Hearne, Texas for Jerry to pursue irrigated cotton farming opportunities in Robertson County. Carolyn and Jerry made Hearne their home for the next 55 years. At their Valley Junction home on the Scamardo farm, Carolyn was known for hosting Friday night pizza while watching Dallas with the boys and sometimes their dates. Carolyn and Jerry provided a stable home for the family, and they enjoyed southern gospel music long before that genre was popularized by the Gaithers. She loved turning up Elvis, Loretta Lynn and later George Strait while working around the house, cooking a pot of her famous goulash, then yelling at all the men in her family to not forget to take off their muddy boots, and someone “TAKE OUT THE TRASH”. She was a multi-tasker and a go getter.

Carolyn dedicated many years to serving others including working in the insurance industry. Notably, from 1970 to 1984 she broke through the glass ceiling elevating from secretary to an award-winning insurance agent at Robertson County Farm Bureau. She continued her insurance career with Hill’s Insurance from 1984 until her retirement. Carolyn also had a deep faith and served as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church where she and Jerry have been members since 1971.

Beginning in 1990, Carolyn dealt with a health issue, but she was a fighter and an overcomer, able to endure havoc induced in her body for over 35 years. Carolyn was also the emotional center of a growing family: Gary and Lisa, along with Larry and Sherrie, blessed Carolyn and Jerry with five treasured grandchildren: Brandon and wife, Emily ~ Kendall and husband, Justin Kleiber ~ Colton and wife, Kendle ~ Caleb and wife, Ellie ~ Cary Jo and husband, Drake Grigsby. Those wonderful grandchildren brought even more joy to her life through 13 beloved great-grandchildren; Payton, Colby, Kyle, Brinley, Elliot, Kambri, Brooks, Colter, Hudson, Brady, Haven, Chandler, and Harvey.

Carolyn is also survived by her sister-in-law, Rita Scott and husband, Ron Scott. Nephews; Ron Cawthon Jr., Kevin Weatherly, Aaron Scott & Nieces; Denee (Cawthon) Delich, Amber (Scott) Gentala, Audra (Scott) Spring and their precious families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving brother Ron Cawthon, former sister-in-Law Cheryl Cawthon, witty sister Fern Weatherly Pantoja, former DJ brother-in-law Dean Weatherly, nieces Kimberly (Weatherly) Benedict, Kris Weatherly, and Kandra (Weatherly) Petersen.

Carolyn would light up the room with her voice, laughter and enthusiastic expressions. She loved to accessorize, do crossword puzzles, read novels, watch a good show, and was a QVC devotee. She also loved rocking babies, singing lullabies, having ice cream cones with her great grandchildren, and keeping up with family via social media. Her legacy of love, strength, and family devotion will continue through the generations she cherished so deeply.

Family will receive guests from 10 am until 11 am on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at First Baptist Church, Hearne, Texas with the memorial service following at 11 am, Pastor James Hooper officiating.

Donations can be made to First Baptist Church, Hearne Texas (www.fbchearne.org)

The family would like to express our appreciation to all of the caregivers that provided loving care and companionship for Carolyn, especially Crystal Garza and the dedicated staff at the Franklin Nursing Home and her long time cardiologist Dr. Marcel Lechin.