Carrene T Ulmer

Carrene Ulmer was born January 10, 1929 in Elmore County, Alabama and left this life to be with the Lord on January 11, 2021 at the age of 92. She graduated from Sandersville High School in Sandersville, Mississippi in 1947. Carrene was the firstborn daughter of Preston and Opal Teel who were farmers in Laurel, Mississippi. Carrene married her childhood sweetheart Rufus Ulmer on April 17, 1947 after he was discharged from the Marines in 1946 and returned to Laurel, Mississippi. Rufus enlisted in the Army in 1950 and Carrene and the family joined him on his tours of duty as a communications specialist in France, San Antonio, Turkey and Hawaii before retiring in San Antonio after serving his country for 20 years. Carrene worked in civil service positions as a medical clerk for Tripler Army Medical Center while in Hawaii and later at Fort Sam Houston BAMC in San Antonio, Texas. Rufus took a civil service position in Kwajalein, which is an island in the Marshall Islands and Carrene and the family were there for two years before Rufus retired for a second time. After retirement, Carrene and Rufus started their second careers and owned several businesses including Ulmer Janitorial and Whilshire Automotive Repair. Being raised on her parent’s farm in Mississippi, she was no stranger to hard work and did not retire completely until she was 75. She instilled those values in her children and grandchildren. Carrene loved to paint but sewing and quilting were her passions and her business, The Quilting Corner, was featured in an Express News article. Rufus and Carrene were divorced in May of 1985.

Carrene was preceded in death by her parents John Preston Teel and Opal Garrison Teel as well as her brother Carlton Teel, sisters Sarah Ann Allen and June Thibault; son, Ronald Ulmer and the father of her children, Rufus Ulmer.

She is survived by brother Donald Teel (wife Myrtle Teel and family); sister Faye Creighton (and family); three children, Carolyn (Ulmer) Edge, Michael Ulmer (wife Terri Schultz) and Steve Ulmer of San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren; Wes Ulmer (wife Laci Whitten) and Erin (Ulmer) Baylan (husband Ikbal Baylan) of San Antonio, Texas and Mitch Schultz of Austin, Texas and great-grandchildren Logan Ulmer, Julianna Ulmer, Jackson Ulmer, Devan Guller, Karley Guller and Liam Baylan.

Due to COVID there will be no memorial or graveside services.