Carolyn Jones Modica

It is with a heavy heart that I reflect on the life of my beloved mother, Carolyn Jane Jones Modica, who went to be with the Lord on March 6, 2026, at the age of 74. To me, Mother’s inner beauty was her greatest attribute; she was truly the most selfless and giving person I have ever known. She lived a life filled with Christian kindness and a humble spirit. As her longtime friend recently reminded me, Mother always placed the needs of others before her own. That gentle example is what I will carry in my heart forever. Mother lived out Luke 9:23 by picking up her cross daily and following Jesus. She taught me that faith isn't something you save for the end of life—it’s how you live every single day." I miss her so much.

Born on May 30, 1951, in Beaumont, Texas, Carolyn Jones was welcomed into a household built on duty, honor, and love. As the baby of the family, she was the youngest daughter of Opal Frey Jones and Thomas Jefferson Jones. Growing up, Carolyn was surrounded by a large, loving family of two older sisters and five older brothers. All of her brothers served in the United States military, establishing a proud tradition of service that defined their household.

One of Carolyn’s earliest and most unique memories occurred when she was very little. While other children her age played with traditional toys like dolls and toy trucks, her father returned from his travels abroad with a one-of-a-kind gift: a little monkey named Chico. Having such an extraordinary companion brought her smiles and happiness. These early days with Chico remained one of her favorite recollections.

When Carolyn was ten years old, she took a trip through Europe that stayed with her forever. She loved riding gondolas through the canals, seeing the history in Rome, and visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Trevi Fountain, and to see Pope John XXIII at the Vatican. She also had a wonderful time touring the castles in Wiesbaden, Germany. The visit to King Charlemagne’s Castle always stood out to her. She and her daughter, Michele, cherished the photos and stories from that time, including the little German children’s songs Carolyn would sing her. That visit was especially important to her because she admired how King Charlemagne worked to preserve ancient, handwritten Bibles. For Carolyn, this experience served as a foundational link to her own life’s interest in Christian faith and in genealogy.

At the young age of ten years old, Carolyn Jones knew that she wanted to become a hairstylist when she grew up. Her early “studio” was the back of the family sofa, where she spent countless hours meticulously styling her mother’s hair. She turned this childhood ambition into a career in 1967, earning her cosmetology license and starting work at the White House Beauty Salon in Beaumont, Texas. Within five years of starting her career, Carolyn became a business owner, opening and operating the her own beauty salon in Beaumont, Texas.

In 1972, Carolyn married the love of her life, Peter Joseph “PJ” Modica. Together, they were blessed with their daughter, Amy Michele Modica, who remained steadfast throughout their lives. Carolyn’s heart found its greatest joy in her family, especially in her role as a devoted grandmother to Opal Michele Hinson. Their favorite hobby together was a shared love of horses. Carolyn lovingly purchased several horses for Opal and ensured that she had the equestrian lessons to ride safely and confidently.

In her later years, Carolyn’s heart completely overflowed in the presence of her three beloved great-grandsons: Zane, Asher, and Grayson. For Carolyn, Opal and "the boys" brought a sense of completion and a deep, enduring happiness that she carried with her always.

After a dedicated teaching career of teaching cosmetology in the private and publics schools, Carolyn accepted a position as a State Inspector with the Texas Cosmetology Commission in 1991, where she devoted over a decade to upholding the standards of her beloved profession. Her steadfast adherence to high standards was evident in 1994, when she earned her Texas State Investigator’s certification. That same year, she was honored as ‘Inspector of the Year’ by the Commission, a reflection of her excellence and integrity. After many rewarding years in service and education, Carolyn officially retired from the state of Texas in 2003.

In the late 1980’s, Carolyn discovered another love, genealogy, a hobby that connected her to her heritage and history. Since 1988, she has been a loyal member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, specifically the Colonel George Moffett Chapter in Beaumont, Texas, a tradition she proudly shared as a hereditary member following in her mother’s footsteps. Carolyn served her chapter in numerous leadership roles, including Chapter Regent, Historian, and Treasurer, contributing her time and talents to honoring her mother’s legacy.

After tracing her lineage back to King Charlamagne, Charles the Great, who was born in 742 A.D., she became a lifetime member of the following Old-World Societies: the Colonial Order of the Crown, the National Society Magna Carta Dames and Barons, and the Plantagenet Society. Her genealogy research further revealed a deep connection to early American history when she discovered her colonial ancestor was Captain Thomas Jefferson, the grandfather of President Thomas Jefferson. In recognition of her heritage, she joined the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, a membership she held with great dedication.

She faithfully served as the Texas State Registrar for the National Society Magna Carta Dames and Barons and as Texas State Historian for the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century. Within the Houston Colony of the Magna Carta Dames and Barons, she took on the vital role of Registrar. Additionally, she served as President of the Colonial Dames XVII Century, as well as being Regent of the Colonel George Moffett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Beaumont, Texas. While Carolyn was Regent of DAR, her chapter earned the “Highest Chapter Achievement Award” within the entire state of Texas, having over 200 chapters. Order of the Eastern Star #71 and Jamestown Society were her other two loves.

Carolyn Modica’s life interests were as diverse as they were heartfelt. She loved being an adventurer back in the 60’s and 70’s with motorcycle riding, dirt biking, and scuba diving with her husband, PJ. Her longtime friend of 57 years, Joyce Byars, was another who, together, they spent years with their ‘knees to the breeze,’ creating a lifetime of stories on two wheels. Their ability to call upon one another at any hour, day or night, every single day always provided a therapeutic comfort.

Carolyn was blessed with an abundance of friends, but she shared a remarkable 54-year bond with Patricia Allen. Their connection began in the early 1970’s when Patricia was one of the very first customers to walk into Carolyn’s newly opened salon. From that day forward, they remained inseparable in each other’s lives, navigating the joys of raising their daughters together. They shared a deep devotion to their work within DAR and Colonial Dames, XVIIC, and they both found great joy in Calvary Baptist Church together. Their friendship was the constant—a lifelong friendship built on shared values, trust, respect, love for education, love for their daughters, and goodness. They were each other’s greatest motivators and inspirations.

Through years of shared laughter and a common love for the hereditary societies, Teresa Orr was far more than just a friend to Carolyn; she was a true gift in her life. Their travels took them to significant sites like Williamsburg and the original 1607 Jamestown Colony, where they walked the archaeological grounds of the Virginia Company of London’s first settlement. To Teresa, Carolyn was a ‘true blessing,’ and whether they were trekking through heritage sites or simply leaning on one another for strength, they had a kind of friendship you don’t find often.

No one was better at bringing family together than Carolyn. She was the one who kept everyone close. She loved organizing holiday get-togethers, making sure that every occasion was filled with love, laughter, and connection and fun. She was always ready for a round of Wahoo or Mexican Train and cherished every moment at the family reunions in Caddo Gap, Arkansas. Just being with the people she loved meant everything to her.

Carolyn found joy in painting, jewelry making, and collage art. She had a gift for capturing the essence of a moment through her camera lens, preserving those memories within the pages of the many cherished scrapbooks that she hand-made. She also loved décor and shopping with her daughter. With her love for thrifting, flea markets, and trade days, she created a comfortable home that felt both elegant and lived-in. She didn’t have to have the best or the newest of everything. To her, it was more important to always prioritize Christian kindness and the people within, over ‘rich’ new things. That was the “décor” she loved most, the joys and comfort of the people inside, not the objects on the shelves.

A devoted homemaker, Carolyn was the steady strength and positive influence that always kept PJ’s world bright. She was truly the sunshine in his life, making every day better simply by being in it. Throughout his career as the proprietor of M&M Tire Company, and during his later years at Modica Brothers’ Tire & Wheel, she remained his constant, loving support. Her dedication and care were the foundation that allowed their family to succeed.

Carolyn had a real love for computers and technology, built through a mix of a few formal courses that she had taken, and a lot of her own self-taught lessons. She reached a point where her understanding of computers was so solid that she could have easily held a professional information technology credential. To her daughter, she was amazing. Her wisdom and sharp mind were truly outstanding. Whenever anyone needed help with computer work, Carolyn was the one to turn to. And, whenever her daughter needed anything in life, her mother was the one she turned to always.

Music and faith were central to Caroyn Modica’s life. She even played the violin when she was in school. She loved country music and old gospel hymns because to her, they weren’t just songs, but timeless stories of faith in music. Jesus was the cornerstone of Carolyn’s life. She was baptized on December 20th, 1959 at Emannuel Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas. As a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, she loved singing in the church choir with her daughter. She once said to Michele that someday it might be nice to join the ‘Angel’s Choir’… but not right now, though.

Carolyn loved her daughter with every ounce of her being. She was the anchor in Michele’s life, similar to how a compass needle always points to true north. To Michele, she was her ‘one true north,’ always staying true to a purpose and heart. Carolyn was always there for her daughter. The two shared a deep, unconditional love and unbreakable bond. In her final year, Carolyn dedicated herself to training Michele, who served as the DAR Vice Regent, to succeed her as Regent someday. Together, they lived out the DAR theme of the Storage Administration: ‘Illuminate Our Legacy.’ Honor the past, but shine a light on the future. That is exactly what Carolyn did through her mentorship and devotion. Michele is deeply thankful for every lesson that her mother shared. Though she misses her mother immensely, she carries her mother’s teachings in her heart with the utmost gratitude.

Her legacy lives on in the hearts she touched. Above all, Carolyn loved the Lord with all of her mind, her soul, and her strength. Her Baptist faith guided her, and Jesus’s loving grace saved her.

She is survived by her husband, Peter Joseph Modica; daughter, Amy Michele Modica; granddaughter, Opal Michele Hinson; great-grandchildren, Zane Michael Bernsen, Asher Kelly Voyals, and Grayson Wade Graham; step brothers, Jerry Wayne Droptini, Andrew Droptini, Jr., and John Franklin Droptini.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Opal Frey Jones Droptini and Thomas Jefferson Jones; stepfather, Andrew Droptini; her siblings, Thomas James Jones, Betty Jones Heathcock, Geneva Anne Amy, Wesley Jones, Leslie Carelton Jones, Bobby Jones.

In keeping with her wishes, Carolyn Modica will have a graveside memorial service that will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.