Carol Lynn Schonerstedt

Carol was born to William Arthur Schonerstedt and Sheila Lynn (Holamon) Schonerstedt in San Antonio, Texas on May 29, 1969. She was Sheila and William’s first child. She was a big sister to Donna Schonerstedt and Catherine (Chau) Woolen.

During her youth and adolescent years, Carol was very involved at Oak Ridge Baptist Church in San Antonio. Carol accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Oak Ridge Baptist Church. The time spent with friends and elders at that church made a significant impact on her. A woman of strong faith, Carol was a devout Christian her entire life.

As a child, Carol looked forward to long summer visits with Mema and Grandad Holamon in Rockdale, Texas. Carol also enjoyed visits with her Aunt Martha Joyce in Austin and her Aunt Waneen in Belton.

Carol graduated from Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio in 1988. Soon after high school graduation, Carol moved with her mother and two sisters to Grand Prairie, Texas. Carol completed some course work at Mountain View College in Dallas. She lived in Fort Worth for a few years, but she eventually put down roots in Arlington. She resided in Arlington at the time of her passing.

Carol entered the world fighting for her life. Due to complications during birth, she had Cerebral Palsy. But Cerebral Palsy didn’t stop her from enjoying bowling, swimming, water aerobics, and other activities with friends and family.

Despite Carol’s physical and intellectual challenges, she was an outstanding writer and had exceptional grammar and spelling abilities. She often wrote letters, e-mail messages, and text messages to friends and family.

Carol was known to have a grateful heart. She noticed and appreciated the simple things in life -- those things that so many of us often take for granted -- and she appreciated every kindness toward her, big and small. She was so thankful when others did things for her and always followed up with an impeccably written thank you note.

Carol enjoyed coloring, crocheting, going out to eat, and visiting with friends and family. She loved chatting with others and could be known for chatting your ear off! She may have inherited that trait from her Aunt Martha Joyce! During daily phone calls with her mother, Carol always inquired about how family members were doing and what they were up to.

Carol was somewhat of a “weather ambassador” for her family. She followed the weather closely and would call to inform family about a coming storm or a winter weather alert. The family joked that if you wanted to know the weather forecast, just ask Carol!

She loved art and visiting museums, particularly the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. Most recently, she went with her family to see the “Monet: The Late Years” exhibition at the Kimbell. Carol moved through art exhibitions with focus and awe, carefully taking the time to read about and genuinely appreciate each piece of art.

As a person with Bipolar Disorder, Carol wished for destigmatizing mental illness in our society. She hoped for increased compassion, support systems, and advocacy for people with mental illness.

Carol will be remembered for her love of butterflies. She was drawn to them for their beauty and grace. As artist Robyn Nola says, “Butterflies are nature’s angels; they remind us what a gift it is to be alive.”

Carol’s family and friends will always cherish memories of her beautiful smile, her kindness, her unwavering faith in the Lord, and her genuine heart.

Based on Carol’s wishes, her family will spread her ashes in the Texas Hill Country.

Carol is survived by her mother, Sheila Lynn (Holamon) Schonerstedt; her sisters, Donna Renee Schonerstedt and Catherine Elizabeth (Chau) Woolen; her brother-in-law, Andrew Woolen; her uncle and aunt, Ronald J Holamon & Rowena Holamon; her aunt, Rebecca (Moore) Holamon; her aunt, Elizabeth Waneen (Schonerstedt) Tulloch; her great-aunts, Bobbie (Jones) Hope and Mary Elizabeth “Beth” (Jones) Britton; her cousins, Nathaniel “Jason” Holamon & Ruchi Holamon, Thomas Holamon & Andrea Holamon, Stephen Holamon, Paul Holamon, Carleen (Tulloch) Carroll & Leon Carroll, Jack “Trey” Tulloch & Pam Tulloch, Russell Tulloch, and Ty Tulloch & Jeanne Tulloch; and many other cousins.

At the Gates of Heaven, Carol was welcomed by her father, William Arthur Schonerstedt; her grandparents, Hollis J Holamon & Willowdene (Jones) Holamon; her grandparents, William Schonerstedt & Martha Estelle (Carlson) Schonerstedt; her aunt, Martha Joyce Schonerstedt; her great-aunt, Dorothy Elizabeth (Carlson) Shannon; and her great-grandparents: Thomas Holamon & Vera (Snipes) Holamon; Lynsey Mason Jones & Robbie Dee (Wilcoxson) Jones; William Schonerstedt & Elizabeth (Hanne) Schonerstedt; and Carl Arthur Carlson & Lillie Estelle (Johnson) Carlson.

The family will hold a memorial service to celebrate and honor Carol’s life and legacy on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 2:00pm at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home. Those wishing to join the service remotely may do so by visiting: https://youtu.be/VxT-RZ8FhaU