Read Laura Delight (Lively) Carrell's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Laura Delight (Lively) Carrell

Tomball, TX, USA

November 17, 1930 - January 9, 2021

Nov 17, 1930 - Jan 9, 2021

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Laura Carrell is preceded in death by her parents, Allen Harold Lively and Bessy Marie Lively, husband Lyndle Gene “Buz” Carrell and great grandchildren Amy Lynn Geeslin, Emma Belle Collier and Colton David Mattox.

She is survived by her children, Howard Scott Collier and wife Melissa of Huntsville, TX, Barry Lee Collier and Teresa of New Braunfels, TX, Joni Jill Bardon and husband Ric of Magnolia, TX, Brenda Lee Allred of Magnolia, TX, Deborah Lynn Starrett of Bedias, TX and Patricia Ann Carrell of Katy, TX, 16 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

Born to Allen Harold Lively and Bessy Marie (Watkins) Lively in Dallas, TX, the first years of Laura's life were during the Great Depression, but she was never aware of the hard times going on around her. She was a happy, spunky, if not a bit of a mischievous child who knew no limitations. She was raised primarily by her loving mother, a Dallas ISD teacher who believed in faith, hard work and strict discipline. These underpinnings would result in contradictory qualities in her character. She was funny, lighthearted and free spirited, but always focused on the tasks at hand and overcame all obstacles and difficulties of life.

She and her mother attended church regularly while living in Oakcliff, in Dallas TX, and she embraced the precepts of Christianity early. It would prove to be the passion and compass of her life, and she would share it with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and anyone else whom would listen. Laura graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, TX around 1949 in general studies and beautician programs.

She married Walter Howard Collier shortly after graduation and they moved to Houston, TX where she had three of her children. She was a homemaker but worked at the Fuller Brush Co., Southern Pacific Railroad, and Sears & Roebuck Co. for short periods of time. Later, as a result of divorce, she entered the workforce as an employee of Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. Given the opportunity to work in purchasing, she would become one of their lead purchasing agents, and remained with the company until retirement. This is where she met Buz Carrell who was a widower with 3 girls. They soon were married uniting a blended family of 6 children. Buz and Laura were married over 50 remarkable years until his passing in 2014.

One of the great joys of her life was traveling to Grand Teton National Park. She was an employee at the gift shops of the Grand Teton Lodge Co, and was one of their favorite and top jewelry sales people. They traveled there every summer for 20 years.

A beautiful soul with a heart for those less fortunate, Laura often took in those who were needy and broken financially or spiritually. Her family can rarely recall a Christmas when there wasn't a couple of additional guests. Her firmly held traditions to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter with her family lasted 3 decades.

In her time on earth Laura was loved and respected by all she met, but is now in Heaven in the arms of Jesus. She will forever be missed by her family and friends, but we look forward to being united with her again.

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