Carolyn Jane Taylor Winkler departed from this life Monday, January 8, 2018. She was born on a Sunday, January 13, 1929 in Fort Worth, TX. She was devoted to loving parents, Gladys Daly Taylor and William Wintford Taylor and adored her ‘wonderful’ older brother Bill Taylor.Carolyn attended schools in Fort Worth from elementary school through high school graduating from Arlington Heights High School in 1945. During that time she forged some of her deepest friendships in the ‘Big Ten’ that would carry her through a lifetime. She spent her freshman year at Fairfax Hall Girls Academy in Waynesboro, VA because they accepted her grades and helped her achieve a long time dream of attending a girl’s school and spending time exploring the Big Apple of NYC.After much teasing from brother Bill, she turned her academic sights to the University of Texas where she received a degree in Music in 1948. During that time she met the love of her life, Clemens Robert Winker, Jr. (Wink). They married June 16, 1951 and began their life together in Clovis, New Mexico.Wink’s geology profession took them to Amarillo, where son Robert was born, and finally brought them to their final destination, Midland, where son Clay and daughter Diane were born.Carolyn and Wink adapted quickly to their new home and became active members of First Presbyterian Church. Carolyn was a longtime member of the choir, served on the Cradle Cross committee delivering crosses to mothers of newborns, was a Deacon and a Stephen Minister. Her love for the Lord shined brightly through her service. Her favorite way to start the day was reading “Jesus Calling” and making notes in the margin about life.Carolyn loved children and cherished her memories of teaching at De Zavala. As a member of the Junior League she was part of the ‘Puppet Committee’ making and performing shows for children as well as ‘Story time’ for children in the Library (in the basement of the old courthouse back then) As usual, Carolyn forged friendships in the Junior League that lasted a lifetime.Community was very important to Carolyn and she made the most of her passion through her theatrical endeavors as Mother Theresa in the Midland Community Theater’s performance of the ‘Sound of Music’, through her teaching skills in Midland’s Need to Read program, and through her sewing skills mending Doctor’s uniforms at Midland Memorial Hospital.As mentioned in a beautiful Junior League article, “It is evident that Carolyn Winkler has made service to others a priority in her life. Because of her tireless work and dedication, she has made our community a better place to live”.Carolyn’s best friend, Betty Jo Moberly, recently shared that they both loved God, family and country in that order. Carolyn was a proud founding member of the Col. Theunis Dey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution serving 2 terms as Regent and attending many Washington DC Continental Congress Conventions.Carolyn and Wink spent many wonderful years in their beautiful home in Colorado hosting friends and family as often as possible. After Wink’s passing she found a new family of like minded souls who called themselves ‘the orphans’.One of Carolyn’s greatest blessings was Dorothy, a constant friend, companion and loving caretaker for over 30 yrs. Carolyn’s greatest joy was her family where she was affectionately known as “Omi” to her grandkids and great grandkids. She loved planning trips to get us all together which has given her family a lifetime of memories that we will forever cherish. Her grand finale was hosting 4 generations of her loved ones on a trip at Thanksgiving that we will carry with us always. We love you Omi.Carolyn is preceded in death by her mother and father, Gladys and Bill Taylor, son, Clay Winkler, husband Wink and brother Bill Taylor.Carolyn is survived by her son Robert Winkler and wife Karen; daughter Diane Campbell and husband John; and grandchildren, Ashlee Winkler Brown and husband Josh, Clayton Winkler and wife Heidi, Caroline, Annie and Bobby Campbell; and great grandchildren, Gracen and John Brown and Elliott Winkler.Special thanks to Dr. McKenna, Dr. Ganta and all the staff at Midland Memorial for taking such good care of mom.In lieu of flowers please make donations to the following organizations of your choice: Clayton Taylor Winkler Memorial Guitar Scholarship Endowment, Texas Tech University School of Music (donate.give2tech.com), High Sky Children’s Ranch (highsky.org), Daughters of the American Revolution (dar.org), First Presbyterian Church (fpcmid.org), or a charity of your choosing.Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 13, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church in Midland.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
