Mrs. Carole Sue Hemler's Obituary
Carole Sue Staley Harbaugh Hemler of Mesquite, Texas, passed away on September 5, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. Carole was born on December 20, 1934, in Bartow, Florida to the parents of Sarah Pipkin Staley and Henry Hale Staley. Carole attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, and later attended Oklahoma University where she received her degree in education.
Carole loved being involved in many activities while attending Phillips University. She was chosen as a freshman cheerleader and enjoyed cheering for her team. Carole's love for writing and storytelling was apparent as she began writing for the University's Student Paper, "Haymaker". One of her assignments was "The Beat" and the other was "What the Hayseed?". Carole was also a scriptwriter for the University Radio Show called "Campus Carousel". She was an active member of the Disciples of Christ Fellowship and held office, where she enjoyed planning fun Christian activities for the DFS members, 1953-1954.
Carole worked a short stint for the Mesquite Newspaper.
She was a school teacher in Moore, Oklahoma, until she moved to Mesquite, Texas in 1971. After teaching, Carole worked for the State of Texas as a Social Worker until her retirement at the age of 60.
Carole is preceded in death by her first husband, John Harbaugh, and parents, Sarah Virginia Pipkin and Henry Hale Staley.
Carole is survived by her spouse of 44 years, Charles Hemler; her brother Hale Staley (Sherrie); sister, Nancy Irwin (Joe); son, David Harbaugh; daughters, Lynda Benavides (Fred), Deena Guinn (Sonja), Heather Kennedy; niece Stacey Whitmire; nephews, Michael Staley and Jay Irwin. Three grandchildren, Gabriel Benavides (Liz), Jessica Allen (Jeff), Caitlan Kennedy; nine great grandchildren, Jessica Martel (Dalton), Katie Allen , Jacob Allen, Eli Benavides, Zane Benavides, Aron Allen, Isabella Allen, Wesley Benavides, Dylan Benavides, and one great-great grandchild, Ryleigh Martel.
Carole was a lifelong Christian and was an active member of Casa View Christian Church where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and served as an elder. Carole was known for her gift of giving programs and other public speaking. She had a life-long love for books and reading and enjoyed listening to all types of music. She enjoyed spending time with her family, most especially her great grandbabies, playing games and making memories.
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