Carol Ann Powell carried the roles of a mother, educator, mentor and wise soul for all that knew her. She made it her priority to ensure the best level of education and compassionate support for all the students she taught throughout her career. Carol attended the University of Texas-Pan American in South Texas, and majored in English. She was a life-long educator, where she coached a variety of high school sports for young women, Psychology and English. Carol received numerous teaching awards throughout her career and retired in 2012 from Chapel Hill High School after 37 years of teaching. She continued her passion for teaching, post-retirement, by becoming a substitute teacher at Whitehouse ISD and spent many years continuing to help students and colleagues at all levels. The last few years of her life she battled terminal cancer and fought harder than anyone, living beyond anyone’s expectations and giving her family the greatest gift of more time.
One of Carol’s greatest accomplishments was the amazing grandparent ( “Grammy” ) she was to her two grandsons, Jacob and Logan. She would later say she didn’t know how much she was missing until she moved to Houston. They were the apple of her eye and she always knew the right balance between spoiling them (Netflix at Grammy’s) to listening to them and reading (for hours) to keeping them in line. She would say that due to her coaching voice (when she needed it) they would never get out of line. One of her favorite memories was a simple trip to the zoo in late 2020. It was a beautiful day and she enjoyed being with family. She remarked at the time that it was one of the best days she had had – just being outside, seeing the animals, enjoying family and the simple things in life—Heather
What stands out about Carol also is the collection of memories she created with us all. For me in particular, I hold a collection of reminders and experiences that are ever-present in my mind and heart. I will always hold onto her desire to send my sister and I off to school every day with a healthy and warm breakfast to get the day going in a positive way, her ability to make the most amazing potato soup from scratch whenever we were sick or just needing some comfort, her ability to make any plant grow (her secret was talking to them!), her love of reading, her favorite Chanel No. 5 perfume, her laughter and smile, her kind and loving eyes, her ability to find happiness and positivity in any situation, her enormous heart that was always forgiving and loving no matter what was thrown her way, her love of bright colors, music always playing in the background, her love of gardening and reading (voraciously!), her love of nurturing animals who needed help, her love of a good fire, her love of Christmas, and most of all, her love for all of us—-Christie
Carol was born in Houston, TX on August 5, 1950 and departed this earth on April 20, 2021 in Houston, TX at the age of 70. Carol is survived by her two daughters, Christie Hunnicutt and Heather Griffin, her son in law, Stephen Griffin, her two precious grandchildren, Jacob and Logan Griffin, and her former husband, John Hunnicutt, who has remained a constant friend and support throughout her life.
If flowers are being sent in her honor for the Memorial, please send them to 1101 E. 1st Street Tyler, TX 75701. If an offer or donation in her name in lieu of flowers is preferred, it would please Carol to know that a donation in her name was made to the Humane Society of the United States https://www.humanesociety.org/
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