Carol McGuire

Carol McGuire, 87, of Waco, TX passed away on February 20, just two days shy of her eighty-eighth birthday. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 4, at OakCrest Funeral Home with visitation at 1:00 p.m. Private burial will be at a later date.

Born Carol Sue Bertram on February 22, 1938 in Lamesa, Texas to Thomas and Montez Bertram, she was raised in Hobbs, NM, the oldest of four siblings. Carol attended college at McMurry University in Abilene, singing in the college choir, the Chanters. While home on summer break she met her future husband, Lewis, at a church ice cream social hosted by her parents.

Carol and Lewis were married on August 29, 1958. During that same month she graduated with a teaching degree and started her first teaching job in Sundown, TX. After several moves, a job opportunity in 1965 led to a move from Hearne to Waco where the couple would remain.

Her daughters, Susan (born 1967) and Angela (born 1968), occupied much of her time, in addition to her interests in sewing, gardening, and needlework. Carol loved music: playing it, listening to it, singing it. This was evident by the array of instruments, records, tapes, and CD’s that would eventually fill the McGuire house. Once the girls started school, Carol opened Lake Air Sheet Music Sales inside of Holze Music. She would remain in business until 1997, when her location in the Lake Air Mall closed. She finished her career at the Waco Center for Youth.

Once retired, Carol and Lewis began their traveling years, going on cruises, train journeys, and pulling a camper to visit 49 of the 50 states in the USA. Never liking to be idle, Carol was active in many clubs, organizations, and social groups. Through the years she was involved with United Methodist Women, Beta Sigma Phi, Meals on Wheels, Altrusa, Kountry Kampers, Stardust Dance Club, among others. She loved games and played Bunco monthly and Hand and Foot Canasta twice a week.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Lewis; her parents, Thomas and Montez Bertram; and brother, Jerral Bertram. Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Susan (Gordon) and Angie (Jamie); grandsons, Jordan, Connor, Douglas, and Samuel; sisters, Beverly and Elaine; sister-in-law, Donna; and several nieces and nephews.