Carolyn Nell Baxter Taber

Oct. 11, 1940 - April 11, 2008

Carolyn Nell Baxter Taber, born Oct. 11, 1940, on a farm near Caddo, Okla., passed from this life on April 11, 2008. A devoted mother, wife and grandmother, Carolyn moved to Boerne in 2006 to be near her son Brent, his wife Lisa and her grandson Michael Robert Taber.

Carolyn was preceded in death by Brent’s dad, James Aaron Taber, in 2000 and her step-father Nels A. Larsen in 1997. She is survived by her sisters Sandra Baxter Ward and husband Billy of Georgetown, and Nedra Larsen Black and husband Larry of Abilene; sister-in-law Joy Dod and husband Bill of Denver; and Aunt Agnes Baxter Niswonger of Caddo, Okla.

At the age of 13, Carolyn moved with her mother and sister to Borger, where she enjoyed growing up in a close-knit small town atmosphere. She enjoyed great lifelong friendships from Borger and married a handsome fellow from the nearby town of Phillips, James Aaron Taber, in 1960. In 1961, they welcomed their son Brent into their lives while at Texas Tech University. Carolyn and Jimmy moved to Houston in 1965 where they raised their son in a loving home and made many more lifelong friends.

Her kitchen table was a favorite place for friends to sit and visit about all of life’s joys and challenges. She had a special gift for listening and supporting her friends and family with honest and caring words. Her highest calling was that of raising her son with a loving, firm hand and preparing him to do the same for his family.

Carolyn also had a special appreciation for fine things and gift for decorating, opening an antiques shop in Houston and then later in Denton, where she and Jimmy moved in 1991 to be with Brent and his family.

Classic traditional taste with a practical sensibility defined her shop as well as her life. She made even more great friends while in Denton and, more recently, in Boerne. The last 14 years of her life were blessed by the addition of her grandson and apple of her eye, Michael, to whom she gave her all and from whom she received joy and completion.

Carolyn battled many physical challenges, from her 20s on, and cared for her ailing husband Jimmy for many years before he passed in 2000. These trying and difficult circumstances never took from her singular dedication to family and friends. Her will to focus not on her own disappointments but on the simple joys of life: her family, a good meal, a cold Coke, a thoughtful gift, and sharing these with others, will forever by remembered by all who knew and loved her. She truly enriched the lives she touched.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, at Boerne’s First United Methodist Church.

Arrangements with Ebensberger Funeral Home of Boerne.

Boerne Star, April 15, 2008