Carolee Ewing Youngblood

On May 20, 2023, Carolee Ewing Youngblood completed her masterwork of a life at 96 years. She had a talent for beauty, design, and creativity that brought delight and meaning to the lives of her gregarious family of five children, thirteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Born in Harlingen, Texas, the culture and color of the Texas border never left her; she loved her valley home where her daddy named a street for her. She read biographies that stretched her imagination as far as New York City where, at 17 she studied Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design, where she met and befriended renowned American designer Donald Brooks, who remained her friend across decades. Carolee continued to make an annual pilgrimage to Manhattan, a tradition she continued until 2021 at age 95.

She returned to Texas to attend the University of Texas, where she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and met and married her true partner and precious love, Hull Youngblood.

Hull and Carolee lived in San Antonio and magnified each other’s zest for life. Throughout their over fifty years of marriage, they shared their strong faith, a love for Texas and the natural world and embarked on many adventures in service. She loved San Antonio and contributed in leadership to Planned Parenthood, The Battle of Flowers Association, San Antonio Junior League and various art and stitchery groups.

She made many beloved garments for all five of her children throughout their lives and was adamant about teaching her whole family to sew. She was an award-winning quilter and stitchery teacher, making more than 75 quilts for her family. Gifting these at birth and college graduation she would say, “This quilt is tangible love; wrap up in it. Know I love you.” She employed her sewing skills in Nigeria where she sewed uniforms for the staff at the Baptist Medical Center in Ogbomoso. She had a line of custom designed men’s ties, called Carolee, which were carried by Neiman Marcus.

She designed and built two magnificent Texas ranches, Riverbend Lodge in Hunt, and Privilege Creek Ranch in Bandera County. She and Hull transformed the ranch properties, restored native grasses, built an impressive 14-acre lake, raised 11 species of exotic animals, longhorn cattle and nurtured native wildlife. She entertained hundreds of guests conveying love of land and relationship. She proudly displayed her sharpshooter award from Bandera Sheriff on her vanity, next to her Revlon 702 Coral lipstick. Carolee made the invisible qualities of life visible—love, joy, adventure, satisfaction, curiosity, beauty.

She was a devoted birder. She built her ‘life list” to include birds from the USA, Africa, South America, Costa Rica, and Panama. She always had binoculars. She was known for stopping traffic to identify migrating birds, especially the painted bunting, coaxing it to her ranches.

Carolee was committed to Jesus Christ. She grew up Presbyterian, and joined Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio, and Trinity Baptist, Kerrville after marriage. She and Hull were active at the founding of Laity Lodge and the HEB Foundation camps. She was an active member of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, attending world convocations like the Baptist World Alliance. After Hull’s death in 2002, she returned to her spiritual home, the Presbyterian Church, in Kerrville and in San Antonio. For decades she was active in circles, committees, mission groups and classes as a constant seeker and sharer of her faith.

Carolee was beloved by her family and friends. When asked to describe herself in six words she quipped, “Papa always said she’s a pistol.” She took delight and lived by her Southern witticisms: “Be Nice or Leave.” “Love begins at Home.” “Love Never Fails.” “Beauty knows no Pain.” and a family favorite, “they’ve Gone to Helotes to get some cornbread.” Most notably, even at 96, she was asking “What’s next?” For this remarkable woman, we are sure it is the beauty of a heavenly home and a warm embrace in the arms of God.

Carolee is preceded in death by her husband D. Hull Youngblood and granddaughter Kendall Youngblood Simon, her parents S. Finley & Ada Ewing, brother Finley Ewing (Gail) and sister Louise Erwin (Bill). She is survived by five children: Carolee Youngblood, Suzii Paynter March (Ben), D. Hull Youngblood Jr. (Gwen), Samuel Coke Youngblood (Gayle), and Genie Youngblood Norris (Randy). The family expresses special gratitude to Anna Marie Gonzalez for caregiving.

Carolee’s surviving grandchildren hold her in their hearts and are her Honorary Pallbearers: David Reed, Frances Reed (Jessica), Kelli Cline, Grayson Paynter (Kelly), Mary Kathryn Paynter, Abigail Slye (Andy), Maitlyn Parker (Schreiner), Coke Youngblood (Alix), Meredith Stefos Norris (John), Clayton Norris, Travis Norris, and Chase Stockton (Brie).

Visitation will be 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Avenue. Her memorial service will be at 11:30 am, Monday, June 5, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Alamo Street. For those unable to attend you may find a livestreaming link available here on the day of her service.