It is an honor to tell you about the special woman we were lucky enough to call Wife, Mom, Grandma and Friend.

Carolyn Thompson died in the early morning hours of January 7, 2021 at Castle Pines nursing home in Lufkin, Texas where she resided after a severe stroke in 2016. She was born April 2, 1945 in Frisco, Texas to Madgie Bernice Waldrum and Joe Leroy Waldrum.

She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Wayne Thompson; her children, Hansel Gotcher and wife Karen, Angela Bradshaw and husband Jeff, Marcie Bogdon and husband Damian, and Joshua Walker and Brandy Walker; eight grandchildren, Benjamin Gotcher, Christopher Bradshaw, Tara Gotcher, Kara Bradshaw, Terry Johnston, Cole Bogdon, Alexis Walker, and Zachary Walker; three great grandchildren, Eli Bradshaw, Olivia Bradshaw, and Madilynn Bradshaw. She is also survived by her oldest brother, Bob Waldrum and his wife Diana.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her mother, father, and two brothers, Hansel Waldrum and Donald Waldrum.

For the past 14 years she lived in Lufkin with her husband after moving there from Groveton, Texas. She grew up in the Houston area and attended Galena Park schools. She returned there with her youngest children many years later. She lived a lot of lives in her 75 years and was a strong, determined woman.

Carolyn was talented at making crafts, loved shopping for craft supplies, enjoyed watching "her shows," and could spend hours on the phone talking to her children, never wanting to get off the phone even when there was nothing more to talk about. She was talented at painting, sewing, cross stitch, and woodwork. Carolyn had to be dragged out of craft stores and couldn't leave until she had gone down every aisle. At one point, she worked at her brother and sister-in-law's craft store in Galena Park making a variety of "knick-knacks." It brought her pleasure to make money doing something she was so naturally talented at doing. Despite not finishing high school, she was well read and spoke eloquently. Carolyn had a sarcastic sense of humor and loved to tease the ones she loved most. She loved her grandchildren and could spend hours holding and playing with them.

Now that she is gone, a void is left in place of her presence. She is missed by her family tremendously. She can finally rest in peace until we all meet again in heaven.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, January 12, 2021 beginning at 1:00 PM at San Jacinto Memorial Park Cemetery in Houston, TX.  Burial will follow in San Jacinto Memorial Park Cemetery in Houston, TX.