Carole Jean Shirey

Carole Jean Walters Shirey of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully on December 15th, 2024 at the age of 84. Carole was born on April 18, 1940 in Centralia, Illinois, to Wendell and Christine Walters. She had one younger sister, Linda Marie Walters Phillips, whom she dearly loved. The family moved to Lovington, New Mexico, where Carole attended Lovington High School and graduated with the class of 1958.

After graduation, Carole married Robert (Bob) Shirey of Lovington on August 27, 1959. Both Carole and Bob graduated from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas where Carole studied education and went on to teach many grades over the years. In 1963, they moved to Lake Jackson, Texas where they proudly raised their two daughters.

Carole made a new home in Austin, Texas in 1989 when her career path veered from education to the legal world at Baker Botts, LLP, as a dedicated colleague for 21 years.

Carole enjoyed working alongside dignified and respected attorneys and judges and developed good friendships with her peers.

Upon her retirement in 2011, Carole embraced her favorite role as “Gram”. Her family was blessed with her abundant love and support in all of life’s joys. An avid Longhorn football fan, she never missed a game. More importantly, she faithfully rooted and supported her favorite sports teams played by her grandchildren.

Since 2021, Carole’s family has had great appreciation for Buckner Villas Retirement Community staff and management in Austin where Carole received the utmost care and love from all caregivers and nurses.

Throughout her life, Carole was known for her willingness to pitch in when needed and always enjoyed being part of the community and always enjoyed her circle of friends. She attended Girls State in Santa Fe, NM the summer of 1957. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Alpha Sorority. Carole was an integral part of the Lake Jackson community involved in the Junior Service League and spent many hours volunteering at the “Bargain Box”, the PTA, and being the first to contribute when someone needed a hand. She loved baking and sharing her spiced tea and perfect apple pies. Her grandchildren and some neighbors well remember her famous Snickerdoodle cookies.

Carole was fiercely loyal, and she had a secret sense of humor which she inherited honestly from her mother. She enjoyed traveling, reading, antiquing, and estate sales. She is remembered for her keen eye for decor and exquisite taste.

Carole is survived by her daughters Wendy Bolton and Debbie (John) Bretsch, and to those who called her “Gram”, Mady Bretsch, Morgan Hill, Kaitlyn Fitzsimmons, Ashlyn Hill, Rylee Bretsch, Aurelia Bolton, and Brooks Bolton. Many nieces and nephews will fondly remember their sweet Aunt Carole. She is preceded in death by her sister, Linda Marie Walters Phillips, of Austin, TX.

A Memorial service will be held in her honor at 1:00 pm on January 12th, 2025, at Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home at 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to be made in her honor to the Wounded Warriors Project at the following link:

(https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=20388&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS24033DAANBHMA&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiApsm7BhBZEiwAvIu2X96xjbIO4DYPBnrLzrEV9nRAj_P_u0WZo2UCYYVGqR_zlQji0S8WRhoCIi0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)