Carolyn Kay (Turner) Cryts

Carolyn Kay Cryts was born on July 27, 1948, in Hillsboro, Texas to Raymond Lee Turner and Katherine Louise Turner. She was the beloved younger sister of Brenda. The family initially lived in Whitney, Texas and later moved to Itasca, Texas. She grew up in a loving, hardworking, Christian household. She enjoyed nature and animals, especially dogs. She treasured her mother but was the constant sidekick of her father. They both shared a love of the outdoors and riding horses. She went to school in Itasca, eventually graduating in 1966. While in school, she was active in Band and worked in her father’s gas station. She loved her family beyond words and often talked of her childhood fondly. She attributed her moral compass and ability to survive life’s obstacles to her wonderful parents.

Carolyn soon married after graduating high school and had three children. Paula, Michelle, and Daryl were the most blessed souls to be brought into this world with her as their mother. After a divorce and second marriage, she brought another little person into this world. Kristin was her fourth child. Shortly following Kristin’s birth, Carolyn found herself a single mother of four children. She struggled financially, but always found a way to provide for them. There were times that she held two jobs just to make sure that she kept her children housed, clothed, and fed. She taught her children through her actions that a person can not only succeed but excel despite challenges. She taught them that they could make a choice to turn hardships into a burden or into a steppingstone to a better life. She had nothing to give her children but unwavering and unconditional love. She taught them that a faith in God is a person’s most important strength.

Many people do not know how artistic, smart, and talented she was. She often painted and has many original canvases. They were beautiful, but she did not sign them or show them to others. They were her private outlet from the stress she faced daily. While her children were in elementary school, she was often asked to oversee the decorations and murals for the annual Spring Festival. She gladly did this in between the hours at her job because she loved it, and it was a way to contribute to the community. She always had sage advice for her children and grandchildren and an open door to those in need.

After being alone for several years, she met the love of her life Larry Cryts. They married in 1988. This November would have been their 35th anniversary. Their marriage created a blended family of seven children. They loved each of them unconditionally and completely. They also deeply loved their fifteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. They lived a simple life, but a life of giving and love. Although the family was blended, all the children and grandchildren were theirs. They were their parents and grandparents in every sense of the word.

Carolyn went home to Heaven on June 28, 2023. Her beloved husband Larry followed her within a few hours. She leaves behind her sister Brenda Durant, daughter Paula Farquhar and husband Doug, daughter Michelle Sulak and husband Darrell, son Daryl Harrison and wife Janelle, daughter Kristin Tidwell and husband Jason, stepdaughter Tami Slater and husband Steve, stepson Kevin Cryts, and stepson Cody Cryts and wife April. She also leaves her grandchildren Joshua Solis, Alexander Solis, Tristan Sulak, Samuel Sulak, Isaac Harrison, Brazos Tidwell, Nolan Tidwell, Trinity Tidwell, Lyndsie Slater, Emma Slater, Brandy Cryts, Brandon Cryts, Bailey Cryts, Kaydee Cryts, Brylee Cryts, greatgrandchild Montana Tidwell, as well as many nieces and nephews. While the children and grandchildren are all devastated by losing her, they know that she is in her heavenly home and with her parents, grandparents, friends, and most importantly her husband Larry.