Carolyn Beth Kudla

Carolyn Beth Brewster Kudla of Granger, TX, went to meet her savior on July 9, 2019, in Austin, TX. Carolyn was born on her parent’s farm on December 4, 1926, in Granger, TX, to Cooper Carroll Brewster (d. 1953) and Emma Denson Brewster (d. 1973). Carolyn grew up in Granger on the farm her great-grandfather had homesteaded when he arrived in TX from GA. Graduating Salutatorian from Granger High School where she played the trombone in the band, she attended University of TX at Austin prior to WWII. During the war, she served as a medical technologist in Houston and here she met her husband, Roland P. Kudla, who had just been discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. Their meeting was set up as a blind date by Roland’s sister, Janice, who worked with Carolyn.

Carolyn and Roland enjoyed dancing in Houston at the Plantation and The High Hat dance clubs during the big band era of Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. Carolyn and Roland married May 29, 1948. They resided in Kingsville, TX, while Roland completed his degree at Texas A&I University as he planned to become a public school teacher and coach.

Carolyn followed her husband’s career as they moved to Ben Bolt, TX, Mont Belvieu, TX, and then to Baytown, TX, as he was recruited to coach and teach at larger schools. She gave birth to three daughters, Beth, Kay and Suzi, and when they were all in public schools, she reentered college commuting 150 miles round trip each school day to Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. From here she earned a Bachelors of Science Degree and soon began her public school teaching career. Later, she would earn her Masters of Science in Education from Sam Houston State University.

In 1979, Carolyn and Roland sold their Baytown home, built a new home on the family farm, and moved to Granger. Carolyn taught public school in Baytown, La Porte, Granger and Georgetown during her career, retiring in 1987. During her retirement years she served on the session at Taylor First Presbyterian Church, volunteered at the Women’s Auxiliary at Johns Community Hospital in Taylor, and was active member of the Granger Tuesday Study Club. Carolyn was also a member of the Georgetown Country Club, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, and First Baptist Church of Granger.

Carolyn was a Southern Lady who was proud to be a true Texan. She possessed a love of learning and a passion for traveling. Adored by her husband and cherished by her three daughters, Carolyn’s grandchildren appreciated her endearing wit and honest candor. Her three great-grandsons will be blessed to learn about her life and legacy.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-three years, Roland P. Kudla (d. 2013). She is survived by her three daughters Beth Kudla Elam and husband Phil of Austin, TX, Kara (Kay) Kudla Quinton of Buda, TX, and Susan (Suzi) Kudla Tone and husband Chuck of Granger, TX. She is survived by four grandchildren, Grant Elam and wife Jennifer of Austin, TX, Collin Mills and wife Kristen of Dayton, TX, Kara Quinton Johnston and husband Tyler of El Paso, TX, and Katy Quinton of New York City, NY. Also surviving are three great-grandsons, Cooper Mills, Liam Johnston, and Brooks Elam. Known as Mom to her daughters and Mimi to her grandchildren and great-grandsons, she will be forever missed.

The family of Carolyn Kudla would like to express their sincere appreciation to the many caregivers at Silverado Onion Creek Memory Care and Hospice, whose constant care provided such comfort to our mother and to her family during the final years of her six yearlong battle with dementia. Special prayer of thanks to Pam Musgrave who was mother’s advocate, caregiver and fellow birdwatcher. Pam, we will never forget the love you shared with our mother.

There will be a celebration of Carolyn’s life at First Baptist Church Granger on Friday, July 14, 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dementia Society of America, www.dementiasociety.org.