Caron Faye Gallier

Caron was the first born child of (Clem) Fred and Phyllis Falzbot Carnes. She was born at the Temple Hospital in Los Angeles, California on New Year’s Eve. Her name was deliberate to include initials that matched our father and her middle name coming from a paternal aunt, Vera Faye Elledge. In 1959, our family moved to Houston. By this time, Caron’s siblings included Cathy Fran, Cynthia Faith, and Curtis Fred. Craig Flyn would become the fifth and only child being born in Texas.

On September 3, 2024 at 7:01pm, Caron was surrounded by the love of all her family members as she was swept up into the arms of our Lord where she would no longer endure the pain or suffering of illness. Although we are left with such a huge hole in our lives, we know she is in Heaven at rest and total peace.

Caron marched to the beat of her own drum from an early age. An overachiever, she was best described as responsible, independent, detailed and tenaciously determined for all of her days. On the surface, she was a force to be reckoned with. Beneath it all was a huge heart of gold. When our mother returned to work, Caron was 12 years old. She took on the responsibility of overseeing care of four siblings and ensured that our mother came home to a clean house with supper started each day. She often used the small amounts of money a child could save to create parties for us with what would become her signature dips and other fun fare. At the time, we didn’t make her role easy. As adults, we look back knowing how difficult it must have been for her.

She graduated in 1971 from Charles H. Milby High School. She was a member of the Milby Coed Cadettes Drill and Dance Team. During and after high school, Caron worked for Foley’s and did a number of other jobs to earn money. Her earnings were generously used for gifts for siblings. She went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone in 1973 as an operator. Eventually, she found her career with SWB handling Yellow Page ads. Caron was often recognized as a leader in sales. She retired from SWBYP in 2007. In 1974, she enlisted in the US Army Reserves serving with the 75th USA MAC. Her initial enlistment was 3 years and she reenlisted for another year. She was Honorably Discharged in 1978 as SP5 grade E5. After retirement, she worked many assignments for the US Census.

In 1979, she married Rusty (Vernon) Gallier. The best part of her life would follow as a wife, mother and grandmother. In 1981, she gave birth to Kristen McAn. In 1984, Jeffrey Ryan was born. Kristen was the easy child. Jeff was the busy one and made sure Caron stayed on her toes with child rearing. After college, Kristen married John Brown. The Brown family grew, giving Caron and Rusty their first grandchild with the birth of Luke Ryan in 2007. Caron became known as Weezer. Six years later, Avery McAn was born. Caron’s life and heart were completely full. Weezer and PoPo moved to a house around the corner and became their home away from home. Caron and Rusty recently celebrated 45 years of marriage.

Caron loved all of her family unconditionally. Not a single thing in the world was more important. Being opinionated, she may have stepped on toes at times, but she quickly apologized in her own way. She parented the nieces and nephews as quickly as she did her own children. Any person in the family also knew that she would provide a soft place to land if needed. She made sure that the importance of family and the holidays was handed down to next generations.

Caron’s family included some special dogs. She loved them as she did the two-footed people in her life. Ribbon, Rufus and childhood pets are certain to been present for her arrival. She leaves behind her beloved dog, Dusty.

Her favorite pastimes were shopping, junking, antiquing, very long-very hot baths, and a good book. She had a special talent with home decorating and had a keen eye for color which she could match without a sample in hand. Caron was exceptionally gifted in needlework. She could work months at a time creating embroidered, counted cross stitch, other handwork. She was an avid collector of Roseville pottery, Harmony Kingdom, vintage mixing bowls, and other unique items. She dearly loved road trips and had looked forward to cruising again. She shopped for Christmas all year long resulting in gifts for all, a closet of impromptu gifting, and a Santa sack of items for the annual Bingo game. Christmas was wrapped and ready by fall. Halloween was especially big on her list for décor and she collected many vintage items. At one point, she left the tree up and moved right in to Mardi Gras colors. She was well known among family and friends for her dips and party preparation with a talent to create the most beautiful dessert tables.

Losing her son, Jeffrey, was the biggest heartbreak in her life. She mourned his loss every day. She was also predeceased by her parents, Fred and Phyllis Carnes and her brother, Craig.

Caron leaves behind those who will love and miss her until the end of their own days: Husband, Rusty Gallier, daughter Kristen and husband, John Brown. Her dearly loved grandchildren, Luke and Avery Brown, sisters Cathy (Don), Cindy (Lou), brother Curtis (Lynn) and sister in law, Terrie Carnes. Caron’s nieces and nephews will also mourn her passing: Justin Kutch and children Skylar and Jaxon, Eric Kutch (Allison) and children Carter and Alexandra, Callison Carnes and son Cooper.

A remembrance gathering will be held at a later date.

Caron loved kids and dogs. In lieu of flowers, a donation to honor these things that were important to her are suggested: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CraigsSantaCause, a fund created in memory of her brother Craig to make sure Santa visits some children whose family cannot afford gifts.

Or The Streethearts Project, a local dog rescue https://linktr.ee/kerescue