Tributes

Carol Ann (O’Donnell) Blakely was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She passed away on April 2, 2024, at age 87 in Corinth, TX. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was born to Charles and Elna “Sally” O’Donnell on August 1, 1936, in San Antonio, TX and was three of seven children. She married her husband, Bobby Gene Blakely on October 10, 1953, in Hobbs, NM before settling in Midland, TX. Together, they had three sons, Robert “Dirk”, Michael Cole, and Mark Anson Blakely. After moving from Midland in 1963, Bob & Carol spent 26 years in Lewisville, TX where Carol worked in banking at Colonial Savings and Flower Mound Bank. In 1989, they retired to their farm in Ben Wheeler, TX, where she lived for 29 years. Carol later joined her sons Dirk and Mike in North Texas in 2014. Carol loved spending time in the kitchen where there was always a cold pitcher of sweet tea and cookies waiting. She had an eye for beauty and a knack for choosing furniture, selecting decorating items and arranging them artistically from the perfect color scheme to the most beautiful gift wrapping. She was a voracious reader who would read books from a variety of genres from the comfort of her favorite chair. While living in Ben Wheeler, she was a part of the garden club, her church bible study and often made trips into Tyler to visit the spring blooms and always a stop into Wal-Mart. She truly loved crafts and spent many weekends at First Monday Trade Days in Canton. Carol never met a stranger, every person in the world to her was just a friend she hadn’t met yet. She could strike up a conversation anywhere she went, later leaving the place where everyone knew her. She had a unique ability to light up any room, to turn even the simplest moment into a cherished memory. Carol possessed a magnetism that drew people near, and once in her presence, they felt cherished and truly seen. The journey of her life could be told in short, that is that she brought love and happiness wherever she went and to everyone’s lives she touched. She is survived by her son Michael Blakely and wife, Tina; sister Cokie Eads and husband, Sydney; grandchildren, Greg Blakely, Crystal (Chris) Harding, Amanda (Jon) Eisen and Rachel (Andrew Scott) Blakely; plus 7 great grandchildren, Jacob Blakely, Chloe Blakely, Blake and Austin Harding, Kinsley and Riley Eisen, Brody Scott, and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. All of these she loved and touched deeply. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Elna “Sally” O’Donnell; husband, Bobby Gene Blakely; sons Robert “Dirk” Blakely and infant son, Mark Blakely; brothers, Pat O’Donnell, Shane O’Donnell, Tim O’Donnell, and Dr. Jerry Michael O'Donnell; sister, Raylene Smith. Memorial contributions may be made to CrossRidge Church in Little Elm. A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 am on April 12, 2024, at CrossRidge Church in Little Elm, TX with Pastor Marc Farnell officiating. All friends and family are welcome. A private burial will follow at a later date at Edom Cemetery, Edom, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Bradley R. Shotts and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

Tributes

Carol Ann Blakely

August 1, 1936 - April 2, 2024