Shirley Ruth Hay Carey
Shirley Ruth Hay Carey, 87, of Hitchcock, Texas passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022 in Texas City. She was born April 8, 1934 to Elmer Hay and Merle Lee Sanders Hay in Houston, Texas.
She was a member of Baptist Temple in the Heights and was a graduate of John H. Reagan High School in 1952. She graduated from Baylor University and married her High School sweetheart, William Neal Carey, on August 26, 1955. She taught math until Neal completed seminary and they started a family. They had three children and she was a homemaker and pastor’s wife. After moving to Hitchcock, she returned to teaching and taught advanced math at Hitchcock High School until retiring from full-time teaching after 25 years. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Hitchcock where she taught Sunday school for many years. She enjoyed reading, church activities and spending time with family.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her children Mark Carey and wife Patricia of La Porte, Scott Carey of Ft. Worth, Karen Peterson and husband Keith of Hitchcock, Christopher Khey Wood of Ft. Worth, Michael Southall and wife Daniella of Houston, grandchildren: Mark Turner and wife Melissa, Charles Turner and wife Courtney and Maeghan Carey and boyfriend Chad Noack, great – grandchildren: Jakob Riley, Tayden Turner, Madilyn Turner, Makenly Turner, Teague Turner, Kaila Southall, Travis Southall, Jake Southall and Jackie Southall and her pets Max and Prince.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 4pm – 7pm on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque, Texas. Funeral services will be Monday February 28, 2022 at 11am at Galveston County Church (formerly First Baptist Church Hitchcock), 6601 FM 2004, Hitchcock, Texas with Rev. Mark Neeley officiating.
Pallbearers are Steve Cantrell, Tom Ivey, Chad Overton, Everett Philen, Mark Turner and Charles Turner. Honorary Pall bearers are Jerry Rudloff, Phil Overton and Richard Overton.
She was a sweet natured christian woman that lived her life walking God’s path. She will be missed greatly by friends and family.
Someone who will never be replaced. A wonderful example of what Christ can do in a persons life.
She is having the time of her life right now and we will see her again
What a wonderful outstanding lady, Aunt, wife, & Mother.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
Shirley and Neal were our friends since Junior High. I as her roommate at Baylor until they married. We grieve with you, but also rejoice with you after sharing life with them.
Such a sweet lately. Never heard her raise her voice. She was so calm as a teacher.
Shirley was truly a fine lady. There aren’t many true ladies in the world today. We have so many memories of Christmas Days shared together with Shirley and Neal and the family. Shirley always seemed to have a thirst to learn something new and had a great mind. She was such a comfort to my Dad in those last months of his life. He and Shirley shared a bond that was unbreakable. We will truly miss her beautiful Christian spirit.
Our deepest sympathy is sent to you and your family for the wonderful mother you were fortunate to have. I would consider her a “jewel” in heaven.
Our thoughts and prayer are with the entire family. God bless!
To the Carey Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I have very fond memories of her as my Sunday school teacher, my pastor’s wife and High School math teacher. I can’t ever remember a time when she didn’t have a smile on her beautiful face. She was such a kind and gentle spirit. My thought and prayers are with you all.
Elaine Beverly
Shirley Carey – a wonderful person, a good role model. She will be missed.
Shirley and my father were cousins who grew up together and remained close until my father’s death. I have known Shirley all my life, I was ring-bearer at her wedding, and every Christmas our families got together at the home of Shirley’s mother. She was intelligent and well-spoken and we had many interesting conversations. She will be sorely missed.
She was a mentor to me when I first arrived at HHS in January of 1989. Her wit and foundation in Christ contributed much to my way of thinking. I will miss her so very much.