Grace Frels Carriger

Grace Frels Carriger passed peacefully from this life at home on November 30, 2024 at the age of 94. She was born in Mathis, Texas to Lenore Hassell Frels and Elgin George Frels on July 10, 1930. She was a Christian and a member of the Argenta Church of Christ. She served the Lord faithfully and attended church services until she could no longer physically be present. The church was primary in her life and she set an example for her children and grandchildren that gave them a clear path to faith in Jesus Christ.

Grace married the love of her life, Frank Dean Carriger, on May 25, 1952. Together they raised two children, Bill James (Nancy) Carriger and Deana Lynn (Mark) Sugarek and established their home in Olmos community where they farmed and ranched. She leaves as her living legacy her children, her six grandchildren, Catherine (Danny) Hanna, Jim (Gina) Sugarek, John (Morgan) Carriger, Ellen (Robert) Moritz, William (Amanda) Carriger, Thomas Carriger, and three step-grandchildren Ross (Crystal) Janota, Rusty Janota, and Kate (Rick) Heyser. She also leaves behind twelve great-grandchildren and nine step- great grandchildren, five nieces and one nephew. She was dedicated to her family and stood in the gap for them making herself available whenever and in whatever capacity needed. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of fifty-eight years and her sister Virginia Moore Fender of Fort Worth.

A graduate of Texas A&I University with an all-level teaching degree majoring in Art, Spanish and English, she had a tenured career as an educator teaching multiple grade levels at Skidmore-Tynan ISD. She cared about her students and worked long hours to help them succeed. She believed in the privilege and right of a free public education and wanted her children and students to embrace and appreciate that opportunity. That her children and grandchildren were all educated with college degrees was of primary importance to her.

Grace was a talented woman, resourceful and capable of much. She was an artist and leaves behind a wealth of beautiful work. She was editor in chief of the Mathis High “Galleon” yearbook, the Texas A&I University “El Rancho” yearbook and guided the publication of the Skidmore-Tynan “Bobcat” yearbook for her entire teaching career. 

She loved to travel America starting in her young childhood riding the train with her father to see the Yankees, Dodgers and the Red Sox play. Later she traveled throughout North America camping with her husband, children, and family friends and then with her grandchildren. She left them all a legacy of wanderlust and a thirst for the great outdoors of her beloved America.

A true child of the Great Depression and a solid member of the Greatest Generation, she knew how to save and stretch to make ends meet, and how to give generously so that no one went hungry or without. Her home was always open to friends and food was always served. She valued her American citizenship and her freedoms and held fast to her conservative values.

She loved playing games with friends in all-night rounds of “42”, Canasta and Wahoo. She left that love of board games to her heirs. She loved watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren excel in academics and athletics. She was a fan of the Aggies, the Cowboys and loved baseball.

The family extends our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Joseph Larakers for his care and concern and the staff at 801 Gramman for giving her a final home where she was loved and cared for.

A memorial service at graveside will be held on Tuesday, December 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Cenizo Hill Cemetery in Mathis, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cherokee Home for Children, the Argenta Church of Christ or the memorial of one’s choosing.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (361) 547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com