Carolyn Elizabeth Henry, 78, died June 16, 2009, at her home in Baker City.
A dinner in her honor will be held at the Eagles Lodge at a later date.
Carolyn Elizabeth was born Oct. 26, 1930, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Marjorie Wooten Brannan and Reuben Brannan. Her early education was received in Texas schools.
In 1943, her family moved to Talent, Oregon, where she graduated from high school in 1947 at age 16.
She was immediately hired by the Jackson County School Superintendent in Medford as a stenographer. She spent the next 46 years in the business world. She worked for eight years as a medical transcriptionist. She was also employed as a stenographer for the credit department of California, Oregon Power Co., in Medford and for a savings & loan attorney in Medford.
In 1949, Carolyn married Jim Henry. They lived in Southern Oregon until 1967, when they purchased a wholesale beer distributorship in Baker. Although later separated, they operated their business together for 26 years. They sold their business in 1993, sold their business property in 1996, and retired.
Carolyn had a zest for life and had many interests. She loved cooking holiday meals for her family. She also enjoyed arts and crafts, and painted botanicals, which was self-taught at age 71. An avid gardener, she always had a beautiful garden, until she could no longer care for one. Travel, photography, landscaping and interior decorating were other interests. She loved music and in her younger years “would rather dance than eat.”
She was a charter member of Eagles Auxiliary No. 345 and acted as secretary of the Baker Pool and Shuffleboard League for the years of 1972-1981.
Her little schnauzer, Bear, was a great comfort and joy to her in her later years.
She is survived by three children: Cindy Johnson of Medford, Michael Henry of Baker City, and Kevin Henry; grandchildren: Jacob Henry, Bridget Wood and her husband Richard, Brooke Marsden and her husband, Brian, Eli Johnson and his wife, Jessi, Michaela Henry and Emily Turner; great-grandchildren: Caitlin and Gwendolyn Wood, Henry, Kieron and Alexander Marsden, Dominic Arnold, Lillian Johnson, Veda Turner, and Lillee Henry; two sisters: Barbara Smead of Medford, and Glenda Mackay and her husband, Butch, of Sutherlin.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her beloved daughter, Teresa.
Memorial contributions can be made to Pathway Hospice in care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 19, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor