Carolyn Sorter

Carolyn Sue Jones Sorter, cherished daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, with loved ones at her side, closed her eyes on earth peacefully in her Sulphur, LA home the morning of Sunday, June 15, 2025. Upon opening her eyes in Heaven, Carolyn was joyfully reunited with loved ones who went before her. She spoke often and with anticipation of the day she would join her parents, grandparents, sister, husband, and Heavenly Father in her home in Glory. A woman of unwavering faith and soft-spoken strength, Carolyn lived a life of devotion to serving others and glorifying God. Born December 22, 1946, in Fort Worth, TX, to Jesse Lee Jones and Clara Lea Payne Jones, Carolyn faced heartbreaking adversity very early, losing her precious, beloved mother at the tender age of 12. Despite the 10-year age difference between her and her dear “Sissy”, Anna Jane Jones Shields, their relationship flourished when her sister lovingly and without hesitation stepped up for her to fill the role of mother and caregiver. This profound loss proved to shape her into a woman of resilience and empathy, spending her life effortlessly pouring her heart into nurturing those around her. A passionate musician with a heart for Jesus, Carolyn began playing the church organ and piano as a child, and continued to do so until just a few years before her death. A 1964 graduate of Mesquite High School, she also played clarinet and bagpipes for the school band, and was grateful to have once marched in the Rose Bowl Parade. After graduation, she attended beauty school and then became a beautician at Sa Belle Beauty Salon in Mesquite, TX, and saved enough money to purchase her prized 1966 Dodge Charger. While working at Sa Belle, she met her future husband and soulmate, Raymond “Buzz” Sorter. They married on February 17, 1967, eventually moving to their beautiful and forever home in Terrell, TX, where they would build their life together. Buzz and Carolyn welcomed their first child, Lori, on June 12, 1969, and their second, Lisa, on May 30, 1973. While Buzz worked to build his own business to provide for the family, Carolyn lovingly nurtured the children and worked in the home. While her own children were still young, Carolyn made the decision to begin caregiving in her home for the children of dear family friends, an enterprise that eventually became an empire of her heart and grew beyond anything she could have imagined. For over 46 years, through her work as a caregiver, she became a second mother to a myriad of children and left an indelible mark on every young heart and family she touched, and those families, too, left their marks on her heart. It has often been said that Carolyn helped to raise half the population of Terrell and her legacy of care and love will continue to echo through future generations. One of Carolyn’s ultimate joys in life was being a grandmother and she loved each of her five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren with the most beautiful and unwavering love. She strived to instill in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren a knowledge of and love for Jesus. A faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Terrell, she served in many various capacities including being an invaluable volunteer during countless Vacation Bible Schools, alongside her husband. She was a gifted organist and pianist for the church for many years. Her musical worship brought life to the hymns, filled the sanctuary with joy, and uplifted the congregation. Sharing her craft for God’s glory and her devotion to her church family were testaments to her deep Christian faith, a faith that guided her through life’s many joys and trials. She loved Thanksgivings and Christmases and looked forward to those times when all her family would be together. Her very favorite memory was her 50th wedding anniversary celebration, when she and Buzz were able to honor the unconditional love they shared and the legacy they created “all because two people fell in love”. After sharing a few years of retirement with her beloved Buzz, Carolyn faced a diagnosis of ALS with remarkable courage, tenacity, and grace. She never allowed her wit or her spirit to be diminished, or her faith to waiver. In an extraordinary manner, she clung to and praised her precious Savior through it all. Her faith defined her and it shone brightly, even as her strength faded, and she inspired all who had the privilege to know her even until she drew her last breath on earth. Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband of almost 57 years, Buzz, her cherished Sissy, Jane, her parents Jesse Lee Jones & Clara Lea Jones, her brother-in-law, Jimmy Shields, great-nephew, Joshua Blair, and her grandparents (Ma & Pa Payne and Bill & Minnie Ann Wilder) each of whom Carolyn loved so dearly. She is survived by her devoted daughters Lori Sorter Walsh and husband Greg, and Lisa Sorter Melone and husband David; grandchildren Jessica Young, Jordan Yandell, Bethany Yandell, Lexi Scott, and Delaney Johnson; great-grandchildren Lillian, Henry, Bailey, Gracee, Madelyn, Nola, Cash, Kam, and Junior; niece Michele Shields Rand (Richard); nephews David Shields (Dorothea), Craig Shields, and Jeff Shields (Melanie); many, many great nieces and nephews and countless friends. Carolyn’s legacy of family, love, and faith will continue on in the hearts of these and all who knew her. While she will be forever missed, we all rejoice knowing that she is free and at peace in the arms of her Savior, joyfully reunited with the loved ones she lost, once again able to play music for the Lord. A celebration of Carolyn's life will be at 12:00pm, Friday, June 20, 2025 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel. Her familiy will receive will friends beginning at 11:00am to service time.

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Carolyn Sorter

December 22, 1946 - June 15, 2025