Obituary of Carole Ann Holmes Hamel
Carole Ann Hamel, born July 16, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (before moving to Port Arthur, Texas) to Capt. Bjorn (Bob) and Louise V. Centrella Holmes, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, in Houston, Texas.
Carole Ann was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Bobby Holmes. She is survived by her husband, Lee Hamel, her sons Todd and wife Kelly, and Stuart and wife Holly, and her grandchildren, Haley, Carly, Layton and Jack.
Carole Ann’s early years were spent in Port Arthur, Texas where her father was Port Captain for the Atlantic Richfield Company. She attended Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated as Salutatorian of her class. While in high school, she was first chair Flautist, All-State competition winner, and Drum Major of the band. Later in life, she taught flute and piccolo in her home.
Carole Ann entered The University of Texas in 1958 in the Plan II Honors Program. She graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Teaching Certificate. As a freshman, she pledged Chi Omega, and she was the creator of musical spoofs for Chi Omega’s participation in Varsity Carnival, a university-wide activity. Away from Austin for two years after graduation, she was employed in the Registrar’s Office at the new Houston Baptist College. She returned to Austin to earn a Master of Arts degree in Junior College Administration. There, she met and married Lee Hamel, her husband of 52 years, and was employed by the Texas Coordinating Board in Austin to carry out the Governor’s plan to expand the state’s Junior College Education System.
Upon Lee’s graduation from The University of Texas School of Law, Carole Ann and Lee left Austin and she became the first Registrar of the newly-established Galveston Community College. After serving in that position, she and Lee moved to Houston, and she began her life as a mother.
Lee’s and Carole Ann’s sons were born in Houston, and they were educated in the schools in and adjoining Hunters Creek Village. Carole Ann was fully engaged in their educational activities and established the Great Books Program for their elementary school, managed school plays, and encouraged the Spring Branch Independent School District to reform the service offered by high school counselors to help students in their choice of college. She also counselled parents with college-bound children, and engaged parents, teachers, and students in the college entrance experience. Her activities earned her Honorary Life Membership in the Texas PTA “in recognition of distinguished service to children and youth.”
The family attended St. Francis Episcopal Church where Carole Ann was very active. She was an organizer of church summer creative art programs, child care for children of parents volunteering for church activities, annual art auction shows, and book fairs. She also served as President of the St. Francis Women’s Organization. In community affairs, she actively supported her sons in sports and scouting. She served as President of the Memorial Drive Country Club Women’s Organization. Subsequently, she served several years as Co-Chair of the annual, multi-week KUHT public television fund-raising auction at the University of Houston. After her sons moved into higher education, she served fifteen years as Law Office Administrator of Hamel, Bowers & Clark. She then retired to happily enjoy her grandchildren and travel with Lee.
Carole Ann’s family especially thanks her caregivers, Soyla Flores, Sonia Valdez, and Cynthia Garibay, for their loving care of Carole Ann at home, where she remained comfortable over the final years of her life.
A memorial service will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Road, in Houston, Texas. A reception will follow at the Houston Racquet Club, 10709 Memorial Dr., in Houston.
Memorial contributions in Carole Ann’s honor may be made to the St. Francis Endowment Fund; to the Alzheimer’s Association in Houston; or another organization of your choice.
