Small Town News

Carolyn McCreary

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Carolyn Sue "Candy" Foster McCreary of Eagle Lake passed away Sept. 11, 2009. She was born just outside of Groveton on Aug. 20, 1949. However, all of you who knew her knew that she felt sure her birth day was wrong, because any year you asked her how old she was, she was always 36!

Mrs. McCreary is survived by husband, Joe Herbert McCreary; son, Christopher Lee McCreary; brother, James Foster of Pineland; cousin, Mary Ann Bice of Tomball; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dick and Doris Terrell of Ft. Worth; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by mother, Pricilla Lee Foster; father, Dan Foster; stepfather, Roy Sanders; and half-sister, Elsie Hughes of Onalaska.

She married Joe Herbert McCreary in 1975 and became the mother to Christopher Lee McCreary in 1982. The couple had a fun life from the beginning with her convincing Joe on their honeymoon to become foster parents. They served as foster parents for eight years to 18 children until her son was born. Elbert, her first foster child, called her on every Mother's Day for the rest of her life and was at her funeral services.

Mrs. McCreary graduated from Sabine High School in Pineland. She attended Tex-as Women's University and graduated from University of Texas in Austin with a degree in special education. She later attended Southern Methodist University to become an academic language therapist after receiving her training for teaching dyslexic students which became her mission in life.

When Chris was diagnosed with dyslexia, she packed her bags and traveled to SMU for the next three years to learn how to teach a dyslexic child. She loved getting these children, who thought they could never learn, and watching them become sponges when they realized that they could if they were taught in a different way. Mrs. McCreary continued this life work for more than 30 years in the Rice and East Bernard school districts as a teacher and consultant. She loved her students and they loved her. She always said when she stopped teaching, God would be through with her and that her job would be done.

Mrs. McCreary loved working for the community of Eagle Lake. She and Joe were both members of the first EMT class in Colorado County and were members of the Colorado County Volunteer Ambulance Corps in Eagle Lake. She was a member of the Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street organization, one of the first actresses in the Prairie Edge Production group and a charter member of Eagle Lake Preservation Alliance. Mrs. McCreary also assisted Joe in calling various charity auctions for more than 25 years and even became a Texan licensed auctioneer herself.

She was also a self-made entrepreneur for a few years when she stayed home to teach Chris. During that time she owned Ye Old Town Shoppe, Candy's Jewelry and her funnel cake business. Her husband teased her that she was probably the only UT graduate who enjoyed making funnel cakes at fairs as much as working at her real job.

Gardening was another of Mrs. Mccreary's passions and something she continued even during these last few months. She felt her garden was a place of comfort and peace and where she felt closer to God.

She was known and loved for her many projects she made and gave to friends and family. She will long be remembered for her personalized candy wrappers which she made for numerous weddings, showers and birthday parties.

Mrs. McCreary was a giving person, never expecting anything in return. She was a woman who loved life, her church and everyone she knew. She, in turn, was loved by all as well and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services for Mrs. McCreary were held on Monday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. from Christ Episcopal Church in Eagle Lake. Burial was at Lakeside Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Terry Bice, Larry Du-lany, Jacob Foster, Richard Sommerlatte, David Stelzel and Jim Wood.

In lieu of flowers, it was her request that memorials be made to Christ Episcopal Church in Eagle Lake, a church she served faithfully for many years.



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© 2009 East Bernard Express East Bernard, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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