Our sweet mother, Cara Dawn Seniff Walding, passed from this world at her home on March 14, 2020. She was born July 14, 1938, in Houston, Texas, the only child of Donald D. and Frances Jackson Seniff.
Cara Dawn lived in Houston where her parents owned and operated a general store on Yale Street. Around age 8, her father and mother purchased a farm on over 100 acres in Willis, Texas. She and her family moved to the farm where her father raised beef cattle and ran a dairy for many years. She loved all animals – big and small – so the farm was filled with an assortment of cat, dogs, and horses.
With the move to Willis, Cara Dawn transferred to the Willis Independent School district. She was the third generation in her family to attend grammar school in the same building. When she was in the third grade, she met her future husband, Calvin C. Walding, Jr. The story was told that he fell in love with her the moment they met. Both graduated from Willis High School in 1956. On February 9, 1957, she and Calvin eloped and were married in the historic Grimes County Courthouse in Anderson, Texas.
For most of her life, she lived in Montgomery, Texas, where she and Calvin raised their three children, Melodee, Micheal, and Makenna. She was an excellent wife, mother, homemaker, and friend. Her skills in the kitchen were unequaled. The unexpected guest arriving before dinner was always invited to stay. She often said that she loved cooking “big, old fashioned, home-style meals.” If you stopped by for a cup of coffee, the collectible cookie jars on the countertops in her kitchen were always filled with an assortment of delicious, fresh, home baked goodies.
Cara Dawn had many interests and hobbies throughout her life. She was a gifted artist. That was evident in her many paintings and drawings. She loved reading and always had a book or two nearby. She wrote poetry and had one of her poems published after Calvin’s passing. If she had a passion, it was antiques. There was never an antique store or flea market that was successfully passed during a family road trip. Her statement to the frustrated faces in the car, “I won’t be long!” She also had the “gift of gab,” never meeting a stranger who couldn’t be coaxed into a long conversation.
She was a member of the Willis Methodist Church for much of her life. Her diary was filled with stories of her life growing up in Willis and the many activities in which she participated - bible studies, church socials, choir practice, Wednesday and Sunday services, dinners, etc.
Cara Dawn is preceded in death by her loving husband of 32 years, Calvin C. Walding, Jr., her parents, Donald D. and Frances Jackson Seniff, and her many aunts, uncles and cousins of whom she was so fond. She is survived by her three children: daughter, Melodee Walding Schultz, and her husband, Steven; son, Micheal Walding, and his wife, Sally; and son, Makenna Walding, and his wife, Pamela. She is survived by six grandchildren and their families: Misti Fortune, and her husband, Adam; Colt Vogel; Matthew Schultz, and his wife, Niki; Brady Walding and Harper Walding; and Alyssa Walding. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Lane Fortune, Kadyn Fortune, and Bryce Vogel. Also surviving Cara Dawn is her best buddy and companion, a chihuahua named Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.
A private graveside service will be held at County Line Cemetery, Friday, May 7, 2021, at 2:00p. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Calvin. To leave an online condolence for her family or to share a memory please visit www.cashnerconroe.com .
