Carolyn Jo Cartwright

On Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 88 years old, Carolyn Jo Cartwright will take her final ride in a horse drawn hearse. She will be carried to her final resting place by six of her favorite horses. They will take her to join her beloved husband, Aubrey, for her eternal rest.

It all started in San Antonio, Texas, at 8:30am, January 22, 1934. Carolyn was born to William Floyd and Elizabeth Josephine Richards. Her family farmed strawberries and peanuts in the rural Bexar County town of Poteet. Her love for horses and riding started at the early age of 7. In 1946. At age 12, her family sold the farm and moved to the Benbrook/Wheatland, Texas area. Carolyn, her sister Elizabeth and brother Floyd rode in the pastures on the family property. The girls began setting up the barrel racing pattern and practiced daily. It was there, in the early 1950’s that Carolyn met a young man named Aubrey Cartwright. He leased the neighboring pasture and grazed cattle there. Carolyn and Aubrey began dating soon after and were married in 1953. In May 1954, they welcomed a son, Alan.

Carolyn was a competitive barrel racer. She actively competed in the sport from the early 1950’s to 1981. Carolyn competed in the Invitational Cowgirl Barrel Racing and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for 25 consecutive years, from 1956 to 1981.

In 1980, The Cartwright Family began their horse drawn carriage and wagon business. Carolyn, at age 46, learned to drive teams of horses and found a new love. She actively drove carriages and wagons from 1980 to 2020.

In 1989, Carolyn’s loving husband, Aubrey Cartwright, was killed in a horse accident. Carolyn, as expected, dedicated herself to carrying on the Cartwright legacy of Western Heritage and love of the western lifestyle.

In 1993, Carolyn and son, Alan began producing the Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Without hesitation, Carolyn took on the role of the high riding, sharp shooting, Annie Oakley. The role fit her well and she brought education, entertainment and joy to audience and history buffs alike. Carolyn and Alan continued to produce the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show, at the Cowtown Coliseum, from 1993 to 2001. Additionally, they created and produced wild west shows for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo from 1996 to 2000.

In 1996, Carolyn again embarked on a new adventure. Carolyn and son, Alan were contacted by Wells Fargo Bank. Their reputation for excellence had reached California. They were asked to represent Wells Fargo Bank at parades, bank opening, civic events. Additionally, Carolyn helped by harnessing horses and riding as an outrider with the stagecoach. Carolyn assisted in this capacity from 1996 to 2020.During that time, Carolyn participated in over 1,500 parades, civic events and commercial shoots. Carolyn participated in her last parade at the 2020 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Parade in Fort Worth, Texas. This was a parade she had participated in for 58 consecutive years.

Through the years, you would never hear Carolyn say “can’t”. Farming, ranching and raising great horses was in her blood and was her God given gift. She was always up before sunup to care for her love, her animals and her family. You have found her mending fences, cleaning stalls or riding horses. She worked until the day’s light darkened. Carolyn grew up in Fort Worth, chose to raise her family here and has nurtured and protected our Western Heritage her entire life. What a life she lived!

Carolyn Jo Cartwright is preceded in death by her parents William Floyd and Elizabeth Josephine Richards, her husband Aubrey Cartwright and her brother Floyd Richards.

Survivors: Son, Alan Cartwright and wife, Georgia of Benbrook, Texas, sister Elizabeth Markum of Waco, Texas, sister-in-law, Debbie Richards, San Miguel, Mexico, sister-in-law, Mildred Ford, Arlington, Texas, grandson, Cody Cartwright and wife Brittany, Keller, Texas, granddaughter, Jasie Hatcher and husband Andy, Trinity, Texas, along with numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, friends and clients that she considered “family”.