Carolyn Ann Stroud went to be with the Lord on October 12, 2023.  Carolyn was born on May 25, 1947 in Yazoo City, MS to William and Annie Grace Russell.

On September 6, 1970, Carolyn married the love of her life, Melvin "Toby" Stroud.  They later became a family of four having two sons, Rusty and Jeremy.  As their boys grew up, Carolyn spent countless hours at the baseball and soccer fields watching her boys play ball.  Through the years, Carolyn enjoyed seeing her boys have families of their own.  Carolyn was "Grammy" to Rusty and his wife Carianne's son, Nathan; and Jeremy and his wife Nicole's son, Carter, and daughter, Carolyn Jane.

A big part of Carolyn's life was not only focused on family, but also on serving the Lord.  Since 1980, Carolyn was an active member of Champion Forest Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for ten years and was part of the Faith Encourager Life Group.  Carolyn shared her love of music with everyone, where she played the piano, and sang in both the church and senior choirs.

Carolyn always cherished her church family.  Her chocolate sheet cake became famous at social events, and she very much enjoyed trips with them to Branson, Gatlinburg, Savannah, and especially Minute Maid Park to cheer on her Astros!

She and Toby went on many other trips too, including visits to Mississippi and Missouri.  Carolyn especially liked cruising, with destinations to Mexico, Hawaii, and her favorite, Alaska.

Carolyn will always be known as having a servant heart.  She loved helping people, providing food, clothing, or whatever they needed.  She will be remembered as a nice, thoughtful, and caring person with the sweetest spirit.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, William, and her mother, Annie Grace.

She is survived by Toby, her devoted husband of 53 years; her brothers, William "Bubber" and Michael and their families; and her sons, Rusty and Jeremy and their families.

The Stroud family would like to extend their most sincere appreciation to Westgate Senior Homes of The Woodlands for their continuous encouragement, support, and love they have given to Carolyn and Toby over the past few months.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Country of Houston at

https://www.boysandgirlscountry.org/