Carolyn Estell Harris Cade, born March 5, 1953, passed away on September 15, 2026. She lived with deep faith, joyful purpose, and a wholehearted love for people, leaving behind a legacy shaped by service, teaching, friendship, and family.

Carolyn attended Sul Ross State University, where she majored in business and was heavily involved in the Baptist Student Union. Her passion was teaching, and that calling carried through much of her life. She taught high school business and typing in Van Horn, Texas, and helped start North Loop Christian Academy in El Paso, Texas. Over the years, she served in many roles, substitute teaching for a number of years before returning to North Loop Christian Academy, where she worked as a teacher, assistant principal, librarian, and then principal. Later, she started a tutoring business and worked with students at Immanuel Christian. She also found great joy in occasionally teaching Sunday school classes. She loved books and library administration and especially enjoyed working, organizing, and creating school libraries.

From an early age, Carolyn embraced life with energy and delight. As a young girl, she loved playing cowboy and wagon trains, and she eventually married a cowboy who took her all over the United States. In her youth, she sang in the Ysleta Baptist youth choir and participated in several choir tours. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing any place and any time.

She was known for her boisterous laugh, her gentle kindness, and the way she supported people without judgment. Carolyn was resilient and adventurous, never looking back, only forward and ready for the next adventure. She often said, “bloom where you are planted,” and she truly did, making friends everywhere she went and loving people exactly as they were.

Her life was filled with simple and lasting joys. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and she counted them as her greatest joy, often saying that having children and grandchildren was a life well lived. She enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys, working puzzles, playing games, making crafts, and cooking and baking for those she loved. She was especially well known for her famous truffles. She also faithfully served on the women’s mission team at church and was heavily involved in Operation Christmas Child.

Above all, Carolyn lived her life on a mission for Jesus, wanting everyone to know His love and find salvation in Him. She never hesitated to share the gospel. In her final months, after a doctor told her to make a bucket list, she laughed and said, “I have done everything I want to do in my life.” She had no regrets and was anxiously looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face. Everywhere she went, she shared that she was not afraid of death because her eternity was secure in her salvation.

Carolyn is survived by her son, Roy Cade; daughter in law, Brooke Cade; daughter, Emilie Kennedy; son in law, Shay Kennedy; grandsons. Jaxon, Colson, and Brady; granddaughters; Sophia, Willow and Hannah (coming soon),; sisters, Sandra Harris, and Laura Eilert; brother in law, John Eilert; Uncle Earl and Aunt Charlotte Harris and their children Dell Harris and partner Pam, and son Chris Harris and wife Rebecca and their children and grandchildren; cousins, Lou Ann, Gretchen, Jamie, Bill, and many more; Aunt Dorris Harris, her son Philip Harris and wife Susan and daughter Elizabeth, her daughter Debra Howell and husband Doug and daughter Nicole; Uncle Don Harris and his daughters, Leslie Hardaway, Heather Rattan, Stephanie Fleming and their spouses and children. friends, Alma Villarreal, Angela Martinez, Janice Denmark, Karen Resling, Beth Jones (best childhood friend), and many many more; She is preceded in death by her parents, John Neal Harris Jr. and Mary Ann Caldwell Harris; a stillborn brother, her baby, Uncle Edwin Harris, Aunt Gladys Harris, Uncle Joseph Caldwell, Aunt Louise Caldwell Jones, Uncle Jack Caldwell, Aunt Jeanett Caldwell Bodeewes, and many friends along the way.

Carolyn’s life was one of faith, courage, warmth, and unwavering love. She will be remembered for the lives she shaped in classrooms, in church, in friendship, and most especially within her family. Her example of joyful service and steadfast belief will continue to encourage all who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 1:00PM Friday, September 25, 2026, at First Baptist Church Ruidoso with Pastor Dr. Todd Sullens officiating.

Livestream link: www.firstruidoso.com/livestream