Ethel Beverly Carnes

Ethel Beverly Carroll Carnes passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2024 after a long and fruitful life. She was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on February 28, 1928 to Lee Roy Carroll and Eleanor Beckedorf. Her family moved to El Paso not long after she was born due to the Depression and her father being laid off from Armour Meat Packing Company. The family moved around a lot resulting in her attending 9 elementary schools. She graduated from El Paso High School where she was a drum majorette. After high school she was employed as an operator with the telephone company.

On January 10, 1948, she married David Carnes. To this union were born three daughters; Carroll Letha of San Antonio, Texas, Colleen Marie of Houston, Texas and Connie Lynn of Lubbock, Texas.

Ethel was a volunteer Candy Striper and worked in the hospital gift shop, dabbled in China painting with her best friend, Julia Snelson, was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary to the America Medical Association, participated in the Meals on Wheels program, was PTO President at Cadwallader Elementary School, an active member of the Ysleta Junior Women’s Club, a long-time member of Ysleta Methodist Church and Vista Ysleta Methodist Church and most of all, a full-time mother. She threw herself into raising her three girls and supporting them in all their many activities: Brownies, Girls Scouts, cheerleading, gymnastics, horses, sheep and numerous school activities.

She was a great cook, enjoyed bridge, loved to watch the Dallas Cowboys and professional golf, hated to miss Judge Judy and Wheel of Fortune and was a Champion shopper. Her pies were legendary. She and her sister Jeannie enjoyed many Friday shopping forays to Bassett Center and Cielo Vista Mall; often joined by her niece Donna Gibson. She also loved and spoiled her dogs; happily sharing goldfish crackers with her last canine companion, Boston Terrier Mikey. Ethel was a very kind and generous soul. She supported the underdog and would literally give you the shirt off her back. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years and her sister Jeannie. She is survived by 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; Carroll Ahearn and her daughters, Jill Marie St. John and Jodi Lynn St. John and fiancé Nicholas Jayanty, Colleen Cummins and husband David and their children Brian David Cummins and wife Sara, Scot Matthew Cummins and wife Leah, Kelly Marie Wilfong and husband Jon and Kimberly Nicole Cummins; Connie Karvas and her children Kyle Hunter Karvas and wife Tira, David Carnes Karvas and fiancée Breelie Ford and Janci Lynn Zumbro. Great-grandchildren include Teo Alexander Jayanty, Reid William Cummins, Grant David Cummins, Julner Joseph Cummins, Beatrice Adina Cummins, Vivian Ray Cummins, Penelope Marie Wilfong, Diana Guynn Wilfong, Aiden Keller Karvas, Kasen Hunter Karvas, Kye Alexander Karvas, Knox David Karvas, Clara Dawn Karvas and Jovi Lynn Zumbro. The family would especially like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Ethel’s longtime caregivers, Esthela Velazquez and Martha Armendariz, who gave so much of themselves to Ethel in her final years. These wonderful ladies also cared for her husband, David for many years before his passing in 2008. They both have hearts of gold and are like family to Carroll, Colleen and Connie.

Ethel, Mom, Granma, and Aunt will be sorely missed. One of the most poignant memories of Ethel her family will carry with them are her Will Rogers-like wit and many now famous sayings including - “That’s the way the mop flops!”

Arrangements by Martin Funeral Home East, 1460 George Dieter Dr., El Paso, (915) 855-8881, Visitation-January 18, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Viewing – January 19, 10:00 am, Service – 10:30 am followed by interment at Restlawn Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers are Stephen Carnes and David Cummins and pallbearers are Brian Cummins, Scot Cummins, Kyle Karvas, David Karvas, Reid Cummins and Grant Cummins.

For those wishing to honor Ethel in lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org or to the charity of your choice.