Carolyn Jo Etter

Carolyn Jo (Turner) Etter, 88, of Abilene, Texas passed away, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 while residing at Bethel Suites Homecare. 

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, October 6th, at University Church of Christ officiated by Larry Calvin.  Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.  Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday October 5th.

Jo was the youngest of 6 children born to Hattie Ruth (Ross) Turner and Horace Brown Turner on March 21, 1934 in Quanah, Texas, but grew up in Chillicothe, Texas.  She graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1951 and Abilene Christian College in 1955, where she was a member of GATA social club.  She married Don Lewis Etter on December 27, 1955 in University Church of Christ, then College Church of Christ, where she remained a member.  After graduation from ACC, Jo taught typing at Abilene High School for several years before moving with Don to Wichita Falls where both of their boys were born.  From there they moved to Snyder where she continued teaching until their return to Abilene in 1969.  Jo started working beside her late husband as a Travel Agent at Supertravel soon afterwards and continued for many years until her retirement.  As Travel Agents they traveled the globe, from Europe to Asia, but her favorite destination was always one of the Hawaiian Islands. Jo and Don shared their love of travel with their kids and grandkids many times over the years and enjoyed being fortunate enough to include them on their travels often.  Jo also loved following her grandkids and enjoyed watching them compete and perform many times over the years.  Watching Christin and Carly at gymnastics meets, and later attending numerous ballet performances to watch Lily and Chloe perform or watching Miles during his Dixie Little League days.  They all brought her great joy. After retirement she began many years volunteering at Hendrick Hospital, The Grace Museum, Abilene Ballet Theater, The Christian Service Center and many others.  She was a member of the Abilene Woman's Club and Los Aficionados.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Don Lewis Etter, her parents; brothers, Horace B. Turner, Jr., Dan Turner; sisters, Sammye Lale, Tommye Combest, Ouida Leese; sisters-in-law, Martina Turner and Patsy Orr; brothers-in-law, Bob Lale, Ted Combest, Billy Leese and Rob Orr.

She is survived by sons, Gregory Don Etter and wife Tina, Cary Dan Etter; grandchildren Christin McClain and husband Chase, Carly Etter, Lily Etter, Miles Etter, Chloe Etter; great-grandchildren Carter McClain and Corbin McClain.  Survivors also include brother-in-law, Frank Etter, Jr and wife, Mildred of Albuquerque, New Mexico and sister-in-law, Nina Turner of Altus, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

Nephews, Van Combest, Paul Combest, Rob Leese, Doug Orr, Jim Orr, Tommy Blair, Bo Whitaker and Don McLeod will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to the following charities: Christian Service Center, Abilene Ballet Theater, The Paramount Theatre, The Grace Museum, Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Chad Ezzell, Dr. Nancy Daggubati, her special partner in crime and constant sidekick Brenda Krick.  Sue Gibson and her staff at Bethel Suites Homecare including her special caregiver of late, Hattie Ruth Kirby.  We would also like to thank Hendrick Hospice Care for their help in her peaceful transition.