Carole Ellen Adams

If ever a person could jam-pack ordinary days with oversized vitality, it was Carole Ellen Finley Adams! In fact, Carole spent her time on Earth squeezing bigger-than-life enthusiasm, energy, and sass into everything she did, spreading equal amounts of love, advice, and lighthearted banter to everyone she met!

Carole was born in Dallas, TX on March 9, 1942, the oldest of three siblings. Initiator of jokes, instigator of playful pranks, and fearless front guard charging each new challenge, Carole bravely led her sister, Barbara, and their younger brother, Bobby, into adventure, mischief, and just plain fun. But despite the lure of engaging activities outside, Carole's heart always returned home - for home was where the telephone was! With one lone tell-tale cord trailing down the hallway behind her, Carole would whisk the beloved ringer into grandmother's private room and shut the door. There, in her secret space, handset to head, Carole would blissfully hole up for hours chatting, advising, and honing wit with friends.

A beautiful brunette with hazel eyes and long lashes, Carole became quite a celebrity catch in her youth. But Carole came by fame honestly. Her father, Robert Edward Finley, was a star athlete for the SMU Mustangs in both football and baseball. Robert was a member of the SMU 1935 national champions and led his team to the 1936 Rose Bowl by throwing a 37-yard touchdown to Bobby Wilson to win the qualifying game. Equally proficient at baseball, Robert played professionally with the Boston Red Sox for six seasons, returning later to his Alma Mater to lead SMU baseball as their varsity coach from 1965 to 1976.

Carole's mother, Leota (Lee) Finley, was an elegant lady, a perfect complement in high heels and flowing dresses for her fun-loving celebrity husband. The whole family enjoyed climbing the stairs of the stadium past wistful eyes to join the big wigs in the stadium press box on home games for laughter and cheering.

Carole graduated from Woodrow Wilson HS in Dallas, TX and was soon whirled away by her high school sweetheart, James W. Guthrie. The two headed out to Lubbock, TX to attend college, set up housekeeping, and begin a family. Years later, with two sons, Jim Bob and Glen in tow, the family moved to a farm in Greenville, TX, adopting a horse, pig, and Carole's pet chicken, all of which were included in the family photo. Carole was a favorite room mother to her boy's classes and den mother for their boy scout troops, turning young heads with her flashing smile and exquisitely designed and decorated cakes. Carole volunteered undauntedly, even attending an all-day Saturday training event to become one of Greenville's very first YMCA soccer coaches.

In 1980, Carole earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from East Texas State University, completing her student teaching in the Greenville TX ISD. But fate skipped paths and Carole switched gears, helping her second husband, jeweler and comedic sparring partner, Luke Addams, open a jewelry store in their Greenville stomping grounds. Carole shone again, rivaling the precious gems with her stylish sparkle and savvy personality.

Years later, living in Garland, Carole's dreams went soaring into the skies. After a clever interview highlighted by her charm and flight attendant's "bag of tricks," Carole was hired by southwest Airlines to grace the aisles and galleys of their Boeing 737's. She was presented her wings on May 31, 1984. It was here, flying among the clouds and stars, that Carole truly came into her own. Her empathic heart, sharpened people skills, and natural charisma made her the perfect companion - and CoHeart - for her new family away from family. Passengers loved her. Coworkers admired her, and everyone laughed heartily at her jokes, boarding gags, and quick quips on and off the PA microphone. But Carole did more than charm; She cherished. Carole cherished her newfound multitude of friends. She cherished the passengers for who she went the extra mile... and mile... and mile...! And she cherished the CoHearts whom she mentored through classroom speeches and behind-the-bulkhead confidences. She even carried her work home with many hours spent on the telephone, wielding wisdom in careful words as she listened and advised for SWA's Professional Standards group.

While at SWA, Carole invested her time heavily with the company, contributing wherever she could. She wrote for the company blog, and her article in defense of the red heart stir stick saved the iconic item from early demise. Carole rubbed shoulders with both Herb Kelleher and Colleen Berrett, and Carole's dedication to the company and its people soon won those two into her unofficial fan club.

On June 24, 2000, Herb presented Carole with the SWA President's Award:

"In recognition of your enormous contribution to the success of the CoHeart program, your genuine concern for the development of our New Hires, and your ever-present enthusiasm and dedication to your company."

Four years later, on June 26, 2004, Colleen along with Jim Parker presented Carole with the SWA "Jack of All Trades' Award:

"For her unmatchable talent to play whatever role it takes to keep our Customers happy, be it a babysitter, listener, mediator, comedian, or friend. We thank her for 20 wonderful years of playing all the above roles, as well as for being the perfect role model for all Employees."

Recovering from her untimely loss of Luke, Carole soon caught the eye of John Richmond, and the two spent happy years together in Carrollton TX, before he too was lost due to health issues. But Carole's indefatigable courage rose again, with the experienced words of one who cannot be long defeated, "Life gets bad; but then it gets good again."

Eventually Carole's smile and bubbly demeanor won her a new beau, soul mate John Glancy, with whom she spent wonderful hours as part of a tight twosome, traveling new roads to fresh bold adventures, be it locally to an event at the symphony hall or to faraway places abroad, as distant as Antarctica

Carole retired from SWA in 2020 after thirty-six years of happy service; but her endless networks of happy relationships thrived throughout the remainder of her life. Carole's gracious caring made her a favorite in many public socials settings as well as the private company of grateful friends an family. And finally, when she was unable to leave home, Carole's legacy of friends from far and wide filed through her front door into her inner chamber where she continued to chat, advice, and smile her effervescent smile, almost "holding court" to the myriad of devoted admirers loyal through the years - surely a rich harvest of the seeds she had so generously sown.

Carole passed peacefully in her home on July 23, 2024, her core family surrounding her final moments with loving vigil - whispering affection in her ears and holding her resting hands. Jim, Carole's son, noted later, "She is probably up in heaven, smiling, laughing, and giving everyone advice!" It was her way! Heaven is now all the richer, having stretched arms even wider than usual to receive our bigger-than-life Carole! And Jesus her savior has certainly welcomed her with gospel songs and fullness of joy! Those of us still on earth keenly feel her loss, but we can each confidently know, as her sister, Barbara stated thoughtfully, "She will always be by my side and on my side!"

Carole was predeceased by her mother, Leota (Lee) Littlepage Finley; father, Robert (Bob) Finley; brother, Robert (Bob) Finley Jr.; husbands Jim W. Guthrie, Luke Adams, and John Richmond. Carole is survived by her sister, Barbara Turbeville of Bedford, TX; son, Jim Robert Guthrie of Anna, TX and wife, Debra; son, Glen Douglas Guthrie of Georgetown, TX; step-daughter, Angela Adams of Garland, TX; step-son, Luke Adams, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA; nephew, Packard Anderson of Chandler, TX; niece, Lindsey McGee of Georgetown, TX; grandson, James Guthrie of Chandler, TX; grandson, Noah Guthrie of Conroe, TX; granddaughter, Brooke Guthrie of Austine, TX; great-granddaughter, Alyssa Guthrie of Tyler, TX; great-granddaughters, Meaghan and M'kaylah of Flint, TX; and great-great granddaughter, Aspen Rainn Howard of Tyler, TX.

Carole's Celebration Memorial will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Highland Park United Methodist Church on the SMU Campus on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas, TX. A reception will follow at the same location.

Donations (if prefered in lieu of flowers) may be made to "Go Fund Me" funds made to individuals fighting Pulmonary Fibrosis. https:/www.gofundme.com/s?q=pulmonary+fibrosis