Carolyn Yvonne Ingram

Carolyn Yvonne Ingram

Carolyn Yvonne Ingram, 84, of Orange, Texas, passed away on October 13 at her retirement community in Beaumont as family members held her hands and prayed for her.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Lynn Ashcraft. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Hamilton, Ohio, on August 2, 1940, she was the daughter of Cloyd E. McAnly and Katherine Pollard McAnly. Carolyn worked at the Stark Foundation in the gift shop after retiring as a secretary for various industries and banking institutions, where her organizational skills and warm demeanor made a lasting impact. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Carolyn was a remarkable woman with a multitude of interests. She found joy in playing the piano and organ, filling her home with music that resonated deeply with her family. She was proud to teach her grandchildren as well. She played piano for her church for years. Her culinary skills were equally impressive; she cherished the time spent cooking for her loved ones and took great delight in the Sunday meals that brought her family together week after week. She also loved potato chips.

An intelligent individual, Carolyn graduated Taylor High School in North Bend, Ohio class of 1958 as a Salutatorian, a testament to her commitment to education and her pursuit of knowledge. She returned to school after moving to Texas and graduated with a 4.0 average from Lamar University Orange, now known as Lamar State College-Orange. She was active in Beta Sigma Phi after retirement.

Throughout her life, she remained actively engaged in her community and was a long-time member of Cove Baptist Church. Every Sunday she sat on the same pew with her friend Nancy and would often “play piano” on her leg in church along with the pianist. She loved piano music her entire life. Her faith and values were central to her life, providing her with strength and guidance. To her grandchildren, she was affectionately known as "Grandma." This title encapsulates the warmth and care she provided; she was a source of love and wisdom, and her legacy will be carried on through them. She would do anything to help her kids and was quick to be there for them when they needed her most. In her final years she spoke often of her husband and how much she missed him. She also loved her dog Buddy and was seen with him on their daily morning walks. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Cloyd and Katherine McAnly; her husband, Wallace Ingram; and her siblings, Curtis McAnly, and Charlotte Vater.

She is survived by her children, Russell Ingram of Orange, David Ingram and wife, Amy of Orange, Charlotte Hilsberg and husband, John of Midland, and Mary Stroud and husband, Steven of Orange; her grandchildren, Ryan Ingram, Laura Ingram, Aaron Ingram, Constance Armstrong and husband, Mark, David Ingram II, John Ingram, Sam Ingram, Andrew Ingram, Jeanna Ingram, Christopher Hilsberg, Kyle Hilsberg and wife, Amanda, Katherine Hilsberg and Andrew Brown, Holly Hunt, Macy Stroud, and Brody Stroud; her great-grandchildren, Hayden Hilsberg, Jackson Hilsberg, Hayes Hilsberg, and Milly Chesnutt; her brother, Cloyd A. McAnly and wife, Faye; her sister, Cheryl Tewart-Baker and husband, Richard; her sister in law, Nora McAnly and brother in law Noble Vater; and numerous other loving nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.