Carolyn R. Chambers

Carolyn Rawlins Chambers, 79, died surrounded by family in her home on Wednesday, October 3rd, after a long illness. Carolyn was the daughter of Burton Rawlins and Jouett and William Zuendt. She attended Dudley Elementary School, El Paso High School, and graduated from Holton Arms in Washington, D.C. She then attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, before returning to El Paso to marry Thorne Shugart in 1957. They had four daughters, Cynthia, Mary Anna, Katherine, and Amy. Thorne died in 1972, and she married Joel Chambers in 1974. Joel died in October 1985, followed by Mary Anna in 1987 and stepdaughter, Debbie Good, in 2004.

Although filled with great losses and challenges, Carolyn felt she led a life filled with blessings. She was very active in her beloved El Paso, volunteering for St. Clement’s School, the Sun Carnival Association, Keystone Heritage Park, the El Paso Symphony, and the El Paso Museum of Art. She served on the boards of the Junior League, the EL Paso chapter of United Cerebral Palsy, the El Paso chapter of the United Way, The Salvation Army, and St. Clement’s Church, Women of the Church. Most recently, she served 2 terms on the board of directors of the El Paso Community Foundation, establishing the Shugart-Chambers Fund, recognized by EPCF as one of the “Great Gifts to El Paso.”

As a 4th generation El Pasoan, she was passionate about her heritage, belonging to the El Paso Historical Society, the Pan American Round Table of El Paso, and Las Comadres. She belonged to the Delta Gamma Sorority, and thoroughly enjoyed many years with her friends in Craft Club, the Country Club Garden Club, and, especially, the Out to Lunch Bunch.

Along with her gifts of service, Carolyn will be remembered for her indomitable strength and will, her fierce intelligence, her deep compassion and kindness, and her gift of laughter through all of life’s challenges. Her bright courage inspires us all.

Carolyn took great joy in her family and is survived by sisters Katherine (Robert) Sparks and Marian Henderson, daughters Cynthia (Patrick) Kennedy, Katherine (Gene) Rhodes, Amy (Steve) Garvin, and grandsons Thorne and Jack. Also by stepdaughter Cathy Lazier ,step son-in-law Steve Good, and stepson Scott Chambers. Grandchildren Laura Lazier, Randy (Wendy) Lazier, Lisa (Chip) Daniels, Julie (Troy) Good, Kyle Good, Joel Chambers, Emily Chambers, William Chambers, and Ella Chambers. Great- Grandchildren, Alyssa, Sophia, Luke, Grayson, Lauren, Cade, Tyler, and soon- to-come Jordan.

Carolyn was very grateful for the loving care provided to her by Marcia Kovar, Hospice El Paso, Dan Belcher and the Sunbelt Group, and Olga de la Pena and Javier Sanchez. Services will be held Thursday October 10th at 1:30 pm at St. Clement’s Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shugart-Chambers Fund at the El Paso Community Foundation, St. Clement’s Church, Animal Rescue League of El Paso, or a favorite charity. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com