Carolyn Craig Stover, 96, a lifetime resident of Athens died Aug. 23, 2013 in Athens.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2013 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Pemberton, Rev. Perry Smith and Dr. Bob Strain officiating. In honor of Carolyn’s love and appreciation for the pipe organ, a brief recital by organist John Tidmore will begin at 2 p.m.
Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Park under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.
She was born July 11, 1917 in Athens to the late Rupert Talmage and Clara Elizabeth Rhodes Craig.
Carolyn was the first in her immediate family to get a college education – a bachelor’s from S M U in 1938 and a master’s from East Texas State University in 1968. The master thesis was on Rupert Talmage Craig, her father, editor-publisher and part owner of The Athens Review from 1916 to 1941. Carolyn is best remembered as Mrs. Stover the American Government teacher at Athens High School from 1963 until 1980, but her first foray into teaching was from 1939 until 1942 as a journalism teacher at Athens High School. On June 2, 1941 she married Mastin Stover, chemistry and physics teacher of Athens High School. They had two sons. Never vain about her age, she would proudly tell anyone, usually her students and without prompting, what it was. She had been a member of First Baptist Church since 1942 and sang in the church choir for 60 years. In later years she played piano on Sunday for the Park Highland Nursing Center. Following retirement she traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, Hawaii, Grand Caymen Islands and throughout the United States. Her professional honors include membership in The American Association of University Women, Theta Sigma Phi and Pi Sigma Alpha. She performed as a classically trained pianist and sang in the Athens Music Study Club. In summation of her life she said: “I tried to be a good wife, mother to both my sons, especially my handicapped son, Craig, a good teacher to many students, patriotic and live according to my faith as a committed Christian.” She was over all a very courageous and compassionate woman with a rich taste for adventure. Bon Voyage “Moma”.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband of almost 31 years, Clifford Mastin Stover; her son Mastin Craig Stover; brother R. T. Craig and sister in law Mary Will Stone Craig.
She is survived by her son Lorenz; nieces Sue Sanders, Mary Elizabeth Massey, Francis Fulgham, Maxey Barton; cousin Doris Johnson; nephew C. W. Tidmore, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends was 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to C. A. M. P., P. O. Box 27086, San Antonio, Texas 78227.