8/3/46  - 1/29/26

Carolyn Sue Willie Renz, 79, of Cat Spring, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 29, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Carolyn was born on August 3, 1946, in Houston, Texas to Charles Leonard Willie and Vera Maude Carpenter Willie. She attended Waltrip High School in Houston, Texas. One of her greatest accomplishments was to graduate several months early in 1964.

On Friday and Saturday nights circa 1966-1970 Carolyn helped her sister, Betty by working at Betty’s German Beer Garden. It was located at Uncle Charlie’s Hickory House in Houston, Texas. Carolyn helped with serving barbecue and drinks and with anything else that needed done. She and Betty looked stylish in their little red German dresses as well as their husbands in their lederhosen! Adults and teens enjoyed live music and dancing while children played on the fun playground.

Carolyn met the love of her life, Nolan while dancing polkas at Bill Mraz Dance Hall in Houston. On October 22, 1967, she and Nolan Lee Renz were married at Advent Lutheran Church in Houston. The reception was held at her sister’s beer garden and the newlyweds traveled to El Paso and Mexico for their honeymoon! Shortly thereafter, Nolan built their home in Cat Spring where they lived for 50 plus years and raised their children Pam, Kristi, and Steven. Carolyn was introduced to the country life after marriage and helped Nolan farm and raise cattle.

Once her children were enrolled in school, Carolyn entered the workforce as a medical transportation driver at East Texas Medical Transportation. Later she worked for Enterprise Rental Car as an administrator in the collision call back department. Carolyn retired from Enterprise Rental Car after 15 plus years of service.

Carolyn was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus where she served on many committees. Her most treasured memory was teaching Sunday School for over 30 years.

Carolyn was a mighty prayer warrior who felt compassion for those she prayed for. Carolyn prayed for many things, especially when she was shopping and needed to find a parking spot! She would say “Thank you, Jesus for helping me find a spot!”

Carolyn was also a very giving person always wanting to go out of her way to offer a prayer for someone, share her meal or purchase a set of tires for someone she did not even know! Carolyn always went out of her way to help others. Even when she did not have the funds to help she never turned away someone in need.

Carolyn enjoyed spending her time with her grandchildren. They were her biggest blessing and always spoiled by her! She put countless miles on several different minivans faithfully toting her grandkids wherever they needed to go; such as, school activities, picking up from daycare, shopping trips or vacations spent together. No trip was ever too small or too far when it came to being there for her grandchildren. With snacks in the console and love in every mile, Carolyn’s minivan became more than just a vehicle. It was a symbol of her devotion, patience, and the everyday sacrifices she made to keep her family close and cared for.

In the last year of her life, Carolyn took pleasure in enjoying her time at Columbus Oaks Healthcare Community. Bingo, Walmart shopping trips, Pretty Nails, church services, and music events were some of her favorite activities. She made several lifelong friends and always had a special place in her heart for her roommate, Ms. Joyce Hodde. Carolyn enjoyed their conversations and they would often be caught cheering on the Astros over the loud TV in their room or dressing up in costumes for Halloween.