Carol Elaine Enriquez

Carol Elaine Enriquez went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at her home, surrounded by family. She was born on December 16, 1944 to the late George A. Gish and the late Fern E. Belcher in Kansas City, MO. She moved around a lot, through the years and used to talk about the one room school house she attended. In 1961 she married Larry M. Archer and settled in Dunkirk, NY for 16 years. In Dunkirk, Carol received her GED and began working for Dunkirk Public Schools. Working in school’s #3 and #7, she rose from office worker to main secretary. She was a member of First Baptist Church, in Dunkirk, and in charge of a ceramic class at The Salvation Army. Moving to Mattoon, IL in 1977, she immediately transferred church membership to Faith Baptist Church and began serving there in Awana and V.B.S. She was employed by Colonial Bread Store as a manager, and Resthaven Memorial Gardens as office manager. She added a second job, working for Lincoln Land Nursing in the 80’s. She was caregiver to Helen Hart. Carol was also active in the local M.S. support group and T.O.P.S. 1n 1991, Carol moved to Corpus Christi, Texas to be closer to her mother and sister. Here she continued her cemetery career, working for Memorial Park Cemetery in Robstown as office manager until she retired. After her retirement she continued to work part time at Memory Gardens Cemetery. While working there she met Raul Elizondo and shared his vision to start a new church which is now called New Life Baptist Church, Corpus Christi. As an active member, she watched the church grow and grow. Due to her illness, but still supporting her church, Carol TV was established. An internet live stream of church services, so she could still be involved and others can be too. In 1994 she met Carlos “Chale” R. Enriquez, and they were married in 1997 and continued to reside in Corpus Christi where they established their own business, C & E Hotshots. While in Corpus Christi she received her associate’s degree and established a T.O.P.S. support group. Thru her life she loved to shop and travel, visiting family and friends. She collected nativity sets, baskets and love butterflies. Carol’s family would like to Thank the family members and friends who offered love and support during her illness. Special Thanks to Dr. Ester Pollard who became a part of our family over the past 20 years. Thank you to the nurses and staff of Christus Spohn Shoreline who treated and cared for Carol during her many visits. Thank you to Rose, Elena, and all of New Life Baptist Church members for the many gifts of time, love and support through the years. No words can really express our feelings for the love we have been shown. Carol will be greatly missed; her smile, her eyes, her laugh. She gave us all strength. We are all better for having her in our lives. Carol is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Warren Gish and Charles Gish. Carol leaves behind her loving and devoted husband Carlos “Chale” R. Enriquez; Three daughters, Lori Perry (Ronald), Bonita Flynn (Jeffrey) and Karena Archer; two sons, Carlos R. Enriquez, Jr. and Eric Charles Enriquez; thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren; four sisters, Opal Leftwich, Barbara Carpenter (Robert), Sandra Goin and Georgia Mae Petrie and one brother, Duane Gish (Sandi); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.