A funeral service will be held for Caroline D. Anderson at 2:00 p.m.on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in the Leonard-Marker Chapel.

Caroline DeShong Anderson, aged 80, passed from this life on August 30, 2024 in Jenks, Oklahoma.

Caroline was born in Iowa to Thelma and Jack Lee on January 27, 1944. She was later adopted by Hattie and Jess DeShong of Paris, Texas. She was adored and adorned by them and brought immeasurable joy to their lives.

She attended The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas, where she was head cheerleader from 1960- 1961, and given Hockaday’s highest honor, the Hockaday Founder’s Day Award, given to the seniors whose teachers and peers believe they exemplified courtesy, character, scholarship, and athletics, in 1960. She attended Southern Methodist University and was named an SMU Beauty. In 1963, she was a Rose Festival Duchess from Paris, in the Tyler Rose Parade.

She raised three children in Paris, Dorothy, Rogers, and Carter, with the help of Deborah Johnson. She had a beautiful ladies dress shop, Caroline’s Boutique, from 1975 to 1982. This is where she showcased her exquisite tastes and creativity to the public. She was happy in that space and her elegance was a gift to those that walked through the doors.

She had many honors and achievements throughout her adult life; Fundraiser Chairman for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Dallas (1968-1969); Lecturer for Dallas Society for Crippled Children (1968-1969); President of McCuistion Hospital Auxiliary (1970-1971); Member of Paris, Texas Chamber of Commerce (1975-1982); Member of Ross Perot’s Texas War on Drugs (1981-1983); and Texas Notable Woman (1981).

She married James E. (Jimmy) Anderson, Jr. on New Year’s Eve, 1988. Together, they worked as a property management team in several locations. Caroline continued showing hospitality to her customers by offering her freshly baked goodies in the office of the properties she managed. She loved working with Jimmy and they proved to be a strong team.

After they retired in 2020, Caroline and Jimmy moved to be near Carter and Angie in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lived out the rest of her life, surrounded by love from her grandkids and greatgrandkids. In January of 2024, Carter and Angie threw her a surprise 80th birthday party. Looking back, we are so grateful for that celebration with her siblings, children, and some of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and best friend. She knew she was loved.

Caroline is survived by her husband of 35 years, James E. Anderson, Jr.; daughter, Dorothy and husband Dave Schley of Iowa; son Carter and wife Angie Cullum of Oklahoma; Granddaughter Juliana and husband Jonathan Derleth of Nevada; Grandson Colby and wife Heidi Cullum of Oklahoma; Grandson Chase and wife Ashley Cullum of Oklahoma; Granddaughter Alicia and husband Kyle Breitfelder of Iowa; Granddaughter Abbey Schley of Iowa; Great grandchildren Jaxson Derleth, Jayden Derleth, Owen Cullum, Daxton Breitfelder, Everly Cullum, Irene Cullum, Jett Derleth, Amelia Cullum, and Gwen Breitfelder; brother Robert E. Lee of Maryland; sister Hattie Lee of Arkansas; and many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.  

Caroline was preceded in death by her beloved son, Dan Rogers Cullum, Junior. Nothing could ever compare to the beauty she displayed. She was an amazing light in this world, full of grace, and always thinking about others. It was a gift to be loved by her. If you were in her presence, she would make sure that you felt loved and welcomed. Our hearts are breaking with grief, but also filled with gratitude that we were hers. We love you, sweet Caroline, to the moon and back.