Carol Ann Deen

Carol Ann Deen, Ph.D. (Stanley) passed away peacefully at her home on February 3, 2026, of breast cancer, which she fought with stoicism and bravery. She was an intelligent and accomplished woman who, over the course of her life, pushed the boundaries set for women of her generation. Therefore, it is fitting that she was surrounded by the women in her life, her daughters and granddaughters, at her passing. She was 80 years old.

Carol Deen was born on February 19, 1945, to Marie Mince Stanley and Edward Stanley in Houston, Texas. Carol was raised in the China Grove Community and graduated from Athens High School in 1962. She met and married the love of her life, Travis Deen, and with Travis moved to College Station, Texas to attend Texas A&M University together. Carol was a member of the first class of women admitted to the university. She graduated from TAMU with both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in English degrees and taught in the English department for four years while Travis completed his veterinary training.

In 1971, Carol and Travis moved to Wills Point where Travis opened Deen Veterinary Clinic and Carol taught high school English. Carol later returned to Texas A&M to complete her Doctor of Philosophy in English degree, which she earned in 1980. Carol’s career included work as a technical writer at EDS in Dallas, and later as an educator and public speaker with Dale Carnegie providing training in communications and human relations to her corporate, university and individual clients. Carol also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Citizens National Bank of Wills Point and Grand Saline.

Carol was actively involved throughout her life in community and public service, having served as president of the Van Zandt county unit of the American Cancer Society, a member of the business school advisory council of East Texas Baptist University, and as a member of the board of directors of the Van Zandt County Community Theater and the Van Zandt County Historical Commission.

Carol’s most rewarding work in public service was her active involvement over many years with Rotary International. Carol served as a Governor’s Group Representative for three district governors, serving on various committees and leading a group study exchange team for District 5830 to France, as well as traveling to both Japan and Scotland representing the district at Rotary International conferences. Carol was appointed as a Rotary International Special Representative to organize the Rotary Club of Canton and served as its Charter President. Carol’s Rotary involvement culminated in her serving as a Rotary International District Governor for District 5830 from 1997 to 1998.

Carol is survived by her daughters, Teresa Dale Deen, Dana Deen Kinion (husband, Steve Kinion) and Andrea Deen Hampton (husband, Dr. David Hampton); grandchildren, Ben Webb (wife, Caroline), Jake Webb, Ruth Kinion, Emma Kinion and Henry Kinion; brother, Donnie Stanley; in-laws Billy Jack and Lucia Deen; and nieces and nephews, Luke Deen (wife, Meagan), Sam Deen (wife, Ashley), Sheila Stanley Durden, Matt Stanley, Daryl Stanley, Aleisha Stanley, and Tina Stanley.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dr. Travis Deen, her parents Marie Carter and Edward Stanley, stepfather Quinlon Carter, brothers Lynn Stanley and Jimmy Stanley, and parents-in-law, Ruth and Billy Deen.

Funeral services will be held at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, Texas on Saturday, February 14, 2026, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m., and interment beside her husband immediately following at Haven of Memories Cemetery in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Texas A&M Foundation, Honorary & Memorial Gifts | Texas A&M Foundation and the Rotary Foundation Donate | My Rotary.