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It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that the news of Carol Henry’s passing, is shared. Carol passed away peacefully in Lubbock, Texas, surrounded by her family and room filled with love, on February 20, 2024, following a five-month battle with cancer.
The sun shined a bit brighter on March 31st 1952, when Carol was born in Clovis, New Mexico to Robert and Lorraine Murphy. The family remained in Clovis until she was 11 years old, when they moved to Lubbock, Texas. This is where Carol began making her presence known, completing Middle School, High School and forming the “Adventurers.” She went on to proudly earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Home Economics at Texas Tech University. Anyone who knows Carol, fully understands that one of her greatest joys in life was being a Texas Tech Alumni and an Alpha Phi, Sorority Sister, pledging in 1971; cherishing that sisterhood thereafter for a lifetime.
She met the love of her life, Allen Henry, while both were working at the Hayloft Dinner Theater in Lubbock. The destined pair married on December 28, 1974. Shortly after marriage, they began a career in hospitality, which is fitting for both of their serving and selfless hearts. This path originated in Texas but eventually led them to New Mexico in 1975, where they managed O’Henrys in Roswell, Double Eagle Restaurant in Las Cruces, The Lodge in Cloudcroft and many more establishments on their journey. In 1984, they decided to settle down in Cloudcroft, where they became the proud owners of The Western Bar and Café for 32 years. Carol had an agenda to travel and continue the couple’s many adventures, until they retired in 2016. Although they had left the world of hospitality, it never left their hearts, always looking to make others feel at home and welcome no matter the place, time or circumstance.
There wasn’t much that Carol wasn’t involved in, often being the first to raise her hand to volunteer for a committee, sit on a board or tackle any task at hand. She selflessly devoted her time to all organizations in need of assistance. These commitments ranged from school volunteer, Miss New Mexico Pageant, PEO, Medical Boards, New Mexico Governors Mansion along with too many others to mention. Most importantly her dedication to her friends and family, exceeded all expectations. While she held many titles in her life; Wife, Mother and Gigi were among her favorites, all of which she excelled and held with honor.
There was no greater joy while Jon and Shauna were growing up than to participate in every aspect of her children’s lives from football, basketball, pageants, and politics. She never missed the opportunity to support, lend her opinion and sit in the audience as the number one fan. That love and pride spilled over ten-fold to her grandchildren, once again giving her the chance to be the world’s greatest Gigi. Relishing in their accomplishments, to include sports, academics, camping, gathering friends and creating memories were moments that she cherished. Regardless of the request, her answer was always yes! She was the first to show up and the last to leave. All said and done, nobody made her eyes sparkle like her four grandchildren.
Carol captivated everyone she knew by her beautiful smile, kind heart, positive spirit, listening ear and uncanny way of connecting people; always putting others first. Quietly, she was a force to be reckoned with and ever present in a manner that made everyone feel significant.
Carol nourished relationships and knew the value thereof. When she was in a room her main concern was making others feel comfortable and welcome. This is a lost art and a talent that most seek, however a gift bestowed upon her the day she was born. To say she had a heart that overflowed with life and love is an understatement. When you top that off with wisdom, a sense of humor, and confidence, you have the perfect description of Carol Henry. With that, the loss of a wife, mother, GiGi, sister and friend forever leaves a void that can only be filled with each of your stories and memories that will live for generations within her family. Those who will carry on her legacy are Carol’s husband Allen Henry, son Jon Henry (Tawnya); daughter Shauna Sartori (Michael); brothers Mike Murphy (Sherie), Bill Murphy (Dawn) and Grandchildren Tayler, Tanner, Jack and Max, along with beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
