Carol Sue Straub

Carol Sue (Spaulding) Straub passed away peacefully at Harbor Hospice, Portland, Texas on September 14, 2024.

Carol was born May 24, 1958 in Alton, Illinois to Jack and Mary (McGill) Spaulding. She is survived by her husband, Lynn, of 37 years. They married October 16, 1986 in Alton. Carol is survived by her three children, Chantel Morrigan of Alton; Nicholas (Vivian Prince) Baldwin of Jerseyville, Illinois; and Alexander Straub of Alton; seven grandchildren, Gabriel, Hannah, Noah, Isabella, Claire, and Ben Hayes, and Jason Baldwin; brother, James Spaulding of Katy, Texas; and sister, Elizabeth (David) Walker of Six Mile, South Carolina; sister-in-laws, Sandi Spaulding of Brighton, Illinois, and Linda (Andy) Au of San Francisco, California; mother-in-law, Louise Straub of Godfrey, Illinois; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Carol also leaves behind her beloved sidekick pup, Chaos.

After attending Alton Senior High School, Class of 1976, Carol spent many years helping care for the sick while working as a pharmacy technician at Medicare-Glaser in Alton and then later worked until retirement as a catering manager for Boeing. 

Carol and her husband, Lynn, have been retired in Rockport, Texas for over ten years. Carol leaves behind many dear friends at the Sugar Shack, where she enjoyed college football, Nascar pools, oyster and crawfish boils, and a few beers. Carol was an impressive cook and baker. Her amazing desserts were always requested for celebrations, big or small. For many years, Carol worked tirelessly to prepare holiday feasts for veterans and their families at the local VFW. Potluck Mondays will never be the same at the Sugar Shack.

Carol was a skilled outdoorswoman who considered herself a “tomboy” and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, and kayaking with her husband, brothers, children, and friends. She spent many years appreciating nature on her family property in Jersey County and was a practiced hunter of the elusive morel mushroom. Carol was an avid reader of a wide variety of genres and could often be found outside in the shade devouring her book of choice. She was always drawn toward water and loved the gulf beaches in Florida and Texas, but her favorite place to spend time was kayaking on the Current River in Missouri's Ozark National Park, especially the breathtaking Welch Spring. 

Preceding her in death are her parents; father-in-law, Lloyd Straub; two brothers, Timothy and Thomas Spaulding; and sister-in-law, Mary Spaulding.

Carol’s family will have a private celebration of life at a later date. In memory of Carol, feel free to make a memorial gift to a charity that embodies her generous spirit and love of life.