Carolyn Ann Sarver

Our incredible matriarch and historian, Carolyn Ann Caruth Sarver, passed away in her home on May 3, 2025, six days shy of her 81st birthday. Carolyn was a native Austinite who loved her family, pets, and all things in nature, especially peacocks, and she always made sure to give first to her children and grandchildren before herself.

Carolyn was born in Austin, Texas on May 9th, 1944 to Charles and Marguerite (Pliska) Caruth. Carolyn loved her strong Czech family heritage, and she enjoyed telling people that she was the granddaughter of John Valentine Pliska, the first Texas aviator. She attended Highland Park Elementary, Lamar Jr. High, and McCallum High School. While at McCallum, she was in the Blue Brigade and the orchestra, where she learned to play timpani during her senior year. She then went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Texas. While at UT, she learned to play the harp, building upon her incredibly deep love of music. As a part of her legacy, she passed along her love of music and piano to her granddaughter, Evelyn Berry.

She went on to teach elementary school at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and directed the children’s choir. She was also baptized and married at Saint Mary’s Cathedral. Carolyn continued her love in education by teaching GED programs in Waco and returned to Austin to teach alternative education, where she found the most joy educating and touching children who were going through difficult challenges. She completed her teaching career at Travis High School.

She is survived by her husband and caregiver James Sarver, her daughter Michelle Berry, her son-in-law Matt Berry Jr., her son Chris Sarver, her daughter-in-law Michelle Molina-Sarver, and her two grandchildren Evelyn Berry and William Berry, whom she loved more than chocolate. She is remembered by her two loving sisters, Helen Tawater and her husband David of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Marie Warden of San Marcos and brother-in-law Robert Bob Sarver of Branson, Missouri. Carolyn was also a loving aunt to Doug Tawater, Brittny (Sarver) Locke, Greg Tawater, Margret (Tawater) Brown and Elizabeth (Sarver) Finkbone. Last but not least, she was greatly loved by her devoted four-legged miniature poodle Patch, who misses her more than anyone.

Visitation will begin at 4:30pm and Rosary will be recited at 6:00pm on Monday May 12th at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 5416 Parkcrest Drive. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1:30pm, Tuesday May 13th, in Saint Mary’s Cathedral at 203 E. 10th St, Austin, TX 78701. Burial will follow in Austin Memorial Park at 2800 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78731.

Pallbearers will be her grandson William Berry; her nephews Doug Tawater, Greg Tawater, and Logan Locke; and her great-nephews Andrew Tawater and Charlie Tawater.

Her family's memories will be most thought of with her love for Lake Travis and the beach in Port Aransas. She will be remembered and greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.

If you ask her family they will be listening for her in the wind.