Carol Audrene Waller

Carol Audrene Waller, "Wee Lassie", was born in Brady Lake, Ohio, the third child of Jessie and Clarence Hazel. In the middle of the six Hazel siblings, she adored her family and the reunions held throughout the decades. A member of the Greatest Generation, she worked at the Ravenna Arsenal during WWII. At the war's end, Carol married Earl Hodges and had a daughter, Suellen in 1946. The family moved to Houston, Texas in 1951, joining her younger sister Joan and husband. Joan and Carol had an inseparable bond.

Carol became a single mom, working for Lucky 7 Stores, where she met her ideal Texan, Billy Jack Waller. Son Randy Waller was born in 1957. Carol and Jack ventured into the donut business in the 1960s, owning several Shipley Donut franchises in Houston, Texas City and Galveston. They loved the Texas hill country, purchasing a cabin on Lake Wood in the 1970s. There Carol could delight in fishing to her heart’s content, reliving her favorite childhood times with her daddy on Brady Lake.

With the sudden loss of Jack in 1979, Carol began a new life, becoming a valued administrative employee at independent newspapers, a pest control company, a land sales agency, an engineering society and a private printing firm. She was a member of the Houston Community Chorus.

Carol’s passions were singing, music theatre, the Rodeo, country festivals, family parties for all occasions, bluebonnets, everything Irish, the Astros and a continuing succession of beloved dogs. She enjoyed travel with family and friends. Her older sister Virginia visited each year from Ohio, and they traveled together to Mexico (where Carol caught a huge dolphin fish) and to Ireland - her dream trip! Any and all events would prompt the mailing of a greeting card, often including a newsy letter.

In her 100th year, Carol’s life was celebrated by a family reunion in Texas, a party at her residence at Treemont Retirement Community and by an interview with KPRC-TV Houston just prior to the Astros winning the World Series!

Carol is survived by her daughter, son, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, her sisters-in-law Edna Hazel and Jennilee Hazel, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family owes special thanks to nieces Cheryl Gerardi, Lisa Smith and Wendy Bernier, who were treasured as surrogate daughters, and friends Wilma, Janet, Maureen, Marlene, Lynn and Lindsey for their loving support. Also gratitude to Senior Allegiance Home Care, Good Shepherd Hospice and Treemont Health Care.

At almost 101, Carol had outlived all of her sisters and brothers and many friends. But she always made new friends, who miss her as deeply as her family.

A celebration of life will be held on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2024, acknowledging her fierce pride in her Irish heritage. If desired, remembrances can be made to the Houston Humane Society, BARC Animal Shelter, CAMO Rescue, the ASPCA or an animal rescue agency of your choice.