Jan. 18, 1943– Feb. 28, 2023
Carolyn was born January 18, 1943 to Lauretta Wright and Frank Parman in Cordell. Carolyn’s parents were educators. Her father became a WWII naval photographer, taking the family to Virginia and Florida. Following military service, the family returned to Cordell and were active in county leadership, scouting, and community improvement. Young Carolyn loved spending time with elderly relatives. Her family moved to Norman when her father became very ill; he passed when Carolyn was a teenager.
Carolyn married high school sweetheart Dale Deatherage before high school graduation. They moved to Texas and had daughters Diane, Lauri, and Angela. Carolyn began college classes there.
Returning to Norman, Carolyn finished her Elementary Education degree at University of Oklahoma. She taught at Little Axe and next earned her Educational Technology Masters. She led Girl Scouts, taught Sunday school, embraced environmentalism.
While teaching at Noble, Carolyn earned Librarian’s and Principal’s certifications, taught many subjects and sponsored clubs in Junior High/High School including Librarian. During this time, she and Dale divorced and she raised grandson Shawn.
Carolyn’s greatest joy was her church; she was involved in Ladies’ groups, teaching Sunday School, missions, bible correspondence, and Senior Christians. After retirement, she called on elderly church members almost daily. She began a card ministry that spread over decades. She was proud to have read the Bible several times. Carolyn’s kindness, charity, and humility quietly reflected that she followed the word of God.
She was an active member of Retired Educators. Carolyn loved her family and spending time with them during casual visits, holidays, and vacations. She enjoyed cruising, visiting sister Francia in California, and vacations with daughter Diane and family. Mostly, Carolyn looked forward to making her home in Heaven.
Carolyn is survived by daughters Diane Schroeder (Eric) and Angela Sarabia (Don); siblings Francia, Keith, and Lynda; grandchildren Shawn Deatherage (Amy), Stephanie Schroeder (Nathan Ashley), Brianna and Cassie Sarabia; great-grandchildren Bentley and Gwen Deatherage. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, former husband, brother J. Frank, and daughter, Lauri. Interment will be at Cordell’s Lawnview Cemetery.
Carolyn’s greatest hope would be that you follow Jesus.