Carol Annella Van Tuyl

Carol Ann Coggeshall Taylor Van Tuyl, age 84, was called to be with the Lord on December 31,2022, at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas, from complications of pneumonia and infection. She was born on October 29, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas to Lloyd and Dorothy (Wantzloeben) Coggeshall. Carol grew up in San Antonio where she graduated from North East High School (now MacArthur High School) as valedictorian in 1957. She attended Texas Lutheran University and Trinity University graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Carol later earned a Special Education certification from The University of Texas at San Antonio. She married Paul Eugene Taylor, Jr., they had two sons and were married for 10 years until his death in 1970. In 1972, she married Paul Van Tuyl, blending their families, and were married for 49 years until his death in 2021.

Her passions in life were teaching, serving her church community, and traveling.

She began her teaching career in San Antonio, Texas, where she taught first and second grade music and Physical Education at Serna Elementary in the North East Independent School District and second grade at Comfort Elementary. She continued her career in the Northside Independent School District, teaching third grade and Special Education until her retirement in 1993.

Carol was a lifelong, devoted Christian. While living in San Antonio, she was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church (where her parents were founding members), Hope Lutheran Church and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (named by her mother). Upon moving to Kerrville, Texas, in 2006, she joined First Presbyterian Church where she was an active member until moving to Plano, Texas in 2022. She served as a Deacon, participated in the Presbyterian Women group and volunteered her time with Hopes Kitchen. She leaves behind many dear, spiritually dedicated, and loving friends in the church.

Carol and her late husband, Paul Van Tuyl, enjoyed extensive traveling. They visited over 50 foreign destinations, by land, sea and air. Her favorite excursions included a trans-Atlantic flight to England on the Concorde with a return cruise aboard the Queen Elizabeth II, as well as trips to Russia, China, and Italy. For their 20th anniversary, they took the entire family, as adults, on a Hawaii cruise visiting all of the islands. In total, they embarked on 39 cruises in her lifetime. Additionally, they toured much of the United States and Canada in one of their many RVs, including numerous family camping trips exploring the Hill County in Wimberly, Texas, and the Gulf Coast at Goose Island State Park.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Dorothy (Wantzloeben) Coggeshall, first husband, Paul Eugene Taylor, Jr., second husband, Paul Joseph Van Tuyl and nephew, Charles (Trey) Barrett III.

Carol is survived by her sons, Todd Taylor and wife Kathy, of San Antonio, and Tobin Taylor and wife Pam, of Plano, Texas, daughter Cheryl Van Tuyl Jividen and husband Doug, of New Braunfels, Texas, sister, Shari Coggeshall Barrett of Kerrville, Texas and nephew, Douglas L. Barrett of Austin, Texas. Grandchildren, Adam Taylor, Jordyn (Taylor) Rupprecht and husband Joe, Connor Taylor, Bridget Jividen, Ellery Jividen and Forrest Jividen.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson Street, Kerrville, Texas 78028. A private family inurnment service will later take place at Sunset Memorial Park in San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, Carol requested donations be made to First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, Texas, St. Judes Children’s Hospital or a charity of choice.