Carolyn Joyce Henry was born on August 5, 1946 in Crowell, Texas, a community she would call home throughout her life and one she loved deeply.

Carolyn was an honor graduate of Crowell High School in 1964 and attended Draughon’s Business College that same year. On July 11, 1964, she married Ernest Dale Henry, beginning a life together built on family, faith, hard work, and service to others.

Carolyn began her career at Foard County Hospital, where she served as an insurance clerk and head bookkeeper from 1967 to 1970. In October 1970, she joined Crowell State Bank, beginning a remarkable 44-year career in banking. She retired in 2014 as Senior Vice President. Carolyn also served for many years as a director of Crowell Bancshares, Inc.

Her dedication to Crowell extended far beyond her professional career. Carolyn served as president of the Crowell Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Rolling Plains Management Corporation Board, and served on the Texas Bankers Association of Rural Affairs Committee. She and Dale were instrumental in the 2006 restoration of the Crowell Activity Center, a project that reflected their shared love for their hometown and their desire to see is thrive for generations to come.

Carolyn was a longtime and devoted member of First Baptist Church of Crowell, where she faithfully served as a church treasurer and taught Sunday School. Her faith was an important part of her life and could be seen in her dedication to her church, family, and community.

While Carolyn accomplished much throughout her life, her greatest joy was her family. She and Dale were blessed with two children, Brenda and her husband, Ronnie, of Crowell, and Stacy and his wife, Lisa, of Crowell.

Her family continued to grow with three granddaughters: Lacey Farris and her husband, Zachary, of Nazareth; Hannah Henry; and Emily Decker and her husband, Kobie, of Munday. Carolyn was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Cooper, Chesney, Colow, Henry, Heston, and Hayden, who brought tremendous joy to her life.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ruby Hickman; her brother, Jackie Hickman; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Thelma Henry; her brothers-in-law, Jim Henry, Larry Henry, and H.L. Ayers; and her sisters-in-law, Carole Henry and Collye Hickman.

Carolyn will be remembered as a woman who loved deeply, worked hard, served faithfully, and gave generously of her time and talents. She was civic minded in every sense of the word and truly loved Crowell. She was also a skilled seamstress. Whether through her decades at the bank, her church, community organizations, or simply helping those around her, Carolyn made a lasting difference in the place she called home.

More than her professional accomplishments or community service, however, Carolyn’s greatest legacy will be found in the family she loved so dearly and the generations who will carry her memory forward.

More than her professional accomplishments or community service, however, Carolyn’s greatest legacy will be found in the family she loved so dearly and the generations who will carry her memory forward. Her life was one of faith, family, service, and an unwavering love for Crowell.

The family suggests memorials be made to Crowell Nursing Center in her memory.