Carole Ann Souther

Carole Ann Shires Souther was born November 24, 1940 in Ladonia, Texas to Reverend William Lee and Birtie Alma McCoin Shires. She was proud to be a surviving premature baby and would gladly tell you she just weighed 2 pounds, 12 ounces at birth. Remarkably, these details of her birth remained sharp in her memory even throughout her battle with Lewy Body Dementia in her later years. 

Carole graduated from Borger High School in 1959. She left Texas in the fall of 1960 to attend Lee College (now Lee University) in Cleveland, Tennessee before returning to her home state. 

Carole worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for over 25 years—which is where she met her husband, Herb. At the time, Herb was working as a lineman in Graham, and Carole was a telephone operator. Instantly smitten, Herb discovered Carole’s father was a pastor in town and promptly began attending services at her church. As they say, the rest is history! 

Carole and Herb were married twice on January 1, 1965. The first ceremony took place at Bethania Hospital in Wichita Falls, where Carole’s father was hospitalized and unable to perform the church service as planned. The second ceremony was conducted that same day by Carole’s brother, Reverend Mack Shires, at the Graham Church of God, where her father served as pastor.  In 1969, they moved to Richland Hills, then in 1996 to Hurst. Herb and Carole were happily married for 59 years.

Carole was a faithful member of Life Fellowship Church of God for most of her adult life, serving as an organist and choir member. A gracious and welcoming host, her home was frequently filled with her children’s friends on Sunday evenings after church. 

In retirement, Carole and Herb loved to travel by car, cruise ship, and plane. Seldom afraid to embrace new cultures and adventures, Carole even became the family’s resident expert on navigating the London public transportation system. Along the way, they made countless lifelong friends who often became frequent travel companions. 

Carole cherished her grandchildren and looked for every opportunity to make lasting memories with them—whether spending weekends at the lake house, hosting sleepovers, or traveling together. Her grandkids quickly learned that uttering the magic phrase, “Grammie, I sure would like some banana pudding,” meant her famous homemade dessert would miraculously appear just a few hours later. 

Carole was known for her sweet, kind, and loving spirit, which never dimmed despite her struggle with dementia. She never hesitated to offer a helping hand, a quick word of encouragement, or a sincere prayer. Following the loss of her husband, the caregivers at her memory care community frequently remarked on her gentle nature, often noting that she was their favorite resident. 

Carole was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herb; her parents; her stepmother, Alena Ruth Messimer Shires; her brother, Reverend Mack Allen Shires; and her sisters, Kathryn Glen Shires White and Emily Lee Shires. 

She is survived by her children, Brad Souther (Donna) and Kathryn Souther Hume (Odie); her grandchildren, Brandon Souther (Amanda), Melanie Souther Prince (Daniel), Nicholas Hume, Dylan Souther (Ashley), and Madison Hume (fiancé Felipe); and six great-grandchildren: Aubrie Souther, Emma Prince, Adelyn Prince, Autumn Souther, Brayden Souther, and Everly Prince.