Carolyn Irene Tarver

Carolyn Irene Tarver, age 85, gracefully entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on Friday, July 28, 2023. Carolyn was born August 12, 1937 in Clarke County, Mississippi to M.C. “Cronnie” and Grace Day. The family moved from Mississippi to Missouri City, Texas in 1951 when she was 14 years old. She graduated from Missouri City High School in 1955. She married Sonny Engelke in 1956 and had one son, Stan Engelke, in 1965. Carolyn married Carlos Bennett Tarver in 1974, and in 1983 lost her beloved Stan. Carolyn was a long time member of Sugar Creek Baptist Church and lived her life for the Lord. After the tragic loss of her son, Carolyn devoted her life to helping others. Thru the organization she founded, Project SMILE, she helped countless children and families by providing Christmas gifts, school supplies, and many other needs. Carolyn loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her nephews and nieces. She also loved annual homecomings and visits with family in Mississippi. She will always be remembered for homemade cornbread, rice pudding, pistachio salad, and pecans at Christmas.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Fairy Nell Heitman and husband Will, and her son Stan. She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Carlos; her nephew Keith and his wife Jane of Sugar Land, her nephew Kerry and his wife Denise of Edmond, her niece Karen and husband Paul of Sugar Land; grand nephews and nieces, Cody, Candace, Kelsie, Katie, Kellie, Jessi, Ben and Will; great-grand nephews and nieces Ryan, Robin, Kinsley, Hudson, River, Nora, Wren, and Cassidy; and numerous other loving family and friends.

A visitation for Carolyn will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road, Stafford, TX 77477. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Sugar Creek Baptist Church, 13223 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolyn's memory may be made to Bethel Ministry, P.O. Box 280, Stafford, Texas 77477.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmansouthwest.com for the Tarver family.