Roma J Carper

She was born in 1933 in Austin, Texas where she lived most of her life. Fiercely proud of her East Austin roots where she grew up with two brothers and two sisters, she attended Metz Elementary, Allan Jr. High and Austin High School, continuing many of those dear friendships well into her later years.

She attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, where she met future husband Dan Carper. Her years at Southwestern of singing in the choir, being a part of the Independents, making lifelong friendships, earning her social work degree, and of course, meeting Dan, were some of her most cherished memories.

Soon after finishing college, Roma and Dan settled in north Austin, where they raised two daughters, Joan and Jennifer (Jenny), and lived for more than 60 years. They joined Crestview United Methodist Church, where Roma was active in the choir, UMW, and her book group. She filled in for a time as church secretary, plus initiated and led Thursday Fellowship for many years. Through the UMW, she was instrumental in the development and support of The Friendship Center in Montopolis. Roma cherished her membership at Crestview and the deep, lifelong friendships she and Dan made there.

Roma was an avid reader and believed in the importance of literacy. She lived this by reading voraciously herself, providing her daughters with an endless supply of books, and also by helping to establish RIF (Reading is Fundamental) in Austin. Roma especially enjoyed her monthly book group at Crestview, which lasted many years.

Later in her career, Roma focused on working with seniors. She coordinated the Senior Tuesday program at First Southern Presbyterian and brought those ideas to Thursday Fellowship at Crestview. She also visited many seniors in care facilities throughout Austin in an effort to enrich their experiences. She ended her career at the office of consumer credit counseling, a department of Child and Family Services, and retired from there in 1998.

The family often joked that we could simply write something on Mom’s calendar and she would take care of it. She was often on the go, mostly looking after others, including her parents in their later years. She also enjoyed birdwatching, family genealogy research, visiting family, and sightseeing around the country.

Roma is survived by her daughters, Joan (Bruce) Baker and Jennifer Fernandes, grandchildren Rebecca Baker (Bobby Syvertson) and Daniel Fernandes, along with Alex Baker (Jennifer) and Martha Baker Dry (Joel) and their children. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Roma was predeceased by her husband Dan H. Carper in 2019. She was also predeceased by parents, Walter William Johnson and Ellen Corinne Caffey Johnson, her brothers Walter W. Johnson, Jr. and Harry D. Johnson and sisters Doris M. Johnson Whitman and Norma V.R. Johnson Pavlu.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Roma’s name to BookSpring (formerly RIF of Austin) at BookSpring.org