Verna Lee Carr

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Vernon Carr (Jennifer); daughter, Kristy Carr; stepson, Gary Carr (Amber); grandchildren, Colton Carr (Bryssa), Justin Carr, Olivia Almager, Landon Almager, Catherine Manning (Sam), Kelly Carr; great-granddaughter, Lillian “Gracie” Carr; and many beloved extended family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Rocky” Carr (2016); her parents, Vernon Mueller (2014) and Olga Mueller (2019); and her sister, Linda Mueller (2010).

Verna Lee devoted her life to serving others as a loving daughter, adoring wife, caring mother, doting grandmother and great-grandmother, dependable friend, and loyal public servant.

She was a woman of strong morals, integrity, and ethics, and carried herself with quiet dignity. She had a beautiful smile and a zealous, lively personality. She loved singing and dancing, and she found her greatest peace in her garden, where she tended to her plants with much love and joy. Above all, she always placed her family first.

The love story of Verna Lee and Rocky is one that will be told for generations. Their deep, unconditional love, respect, and admiration for each other were evident to everyone who knew them. They enjoyed fishing, road trips, and reflecting on their time spent building R&V Double Acres, where countless family memories were made. Like all great love stories, theirs did not end with Rocky’s passing. She often referred to him as “the wind beneath my wings” and said, “he will always have my heart.” She felt his love and spirit with her always.

Coming from four generations of veterans, Verna Lee held strong patriotic values. She was especially proud of her son during his overseas deployments and felt profoundly blessed when he returned home safely.

For 35 years, Verna Lee selflessly served as a victim advocate and advisor with the statewide crime victim advocacy organization, People Against Violent Crime. She was one of the early pioneers of victim advocacy in Texas. In 1991, she established the Tree of Angels® to honor victims of violent crime, their families, and their friends during the holiday season. Each year, the Governor of Texas has honored her legacy by designating the first week of December as Tree of Angels Week across the state. Through her guidance, the Tree of Angels expanded into a global outreach.

Over the years, Verna Lee volunteered countless hours to bridge gaps, strengthen community partnerships, and advocate for victims. She assisted and helped guide thousands of individuals who were affected by violent crime and often expressed how humbled and privileged she felt to be a small part of so many lives.

For more than three decades, she was also a force in Texas politics. Respected across the political spectrum, she remained non-partisan in her commitment to advancing victims’ rights. Her work helped influence the creation of the Crime Victim Compensation Fund, which continues to support victims of violent crime today.

Verna Lee was passionate, compassionate, and deeply dedicated to helping others. She had a gift for making everyone she met feel cared for, heard, and believed in. She hoped to be remembered as a simple lady who saw pain and tried to comfort, saw wrong and tried to make it right, and was a voice for victims whose voices were silenced by violent crime.

A devout Christian, Verna Lee was at peace in the end, knowing her heavenly garden awaited and that she had lived as a good and faithful servant.

A private committal service will be held at Forest Oaks Cemetery in Austin, where Verna Lee will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Rocky.

The family would like to thank the staff at Baylor Scott & White Lakeway and Hospice Austin Christopher House for the compassionate care received.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Tree of Angels,

c/o People Against Violent Crime

P.O. Box 92621

Austin, Texas 78709

(please reference “Tree of Angels” in the memo line)