Carolyn Marie Anderson

Carolyn Marie McDonald Anderson, beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025, with her children by her side.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Oakwood Cemetery.

Born January 19, 1944, in Waco, she lived a long, joyful life. Carolyn was the daughter of A.J. and Gladys McDonald, who started one of the first auto supply chains in Texas, McDonald Auto Supply, where Carolyn worked until her marriage.

Carolyn graduated from the University of Texas with a Home Economics degree and earned her Master’s degree from Michigan State in Foods. In her early adult life, she taught Home Economics at Baylor. She also participated in the junior league of Waco, played tennis, ran a marathon and loved to swim. Carolyn was an avid baker; she loved baking and decorating her sugar cookies with her grandchildren. She was also an animal lover; she cared for her cats and would often pet sit her children’s fur babies when they traveled. 

Carolyn dedicated her life to caring for those she loved, she was a supportive friend and neighbor, a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She never let a special occasion pass without a text or card. Her love and attention will surely be missed. Carolyn was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Waco.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew John (A.J.) and Gladys Ingeborg McDonald; her younger brother, Andrew Dan McDonald; and oldest daughter, Leslie Anderson Horne.

Carolyn leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Derrick John Anderson “D.J.” of Austin; daughter, Kelli Shinault and her husband, Eric of Austin; and son-in-law, Rhett Horne and his wife, Shelley of China Spring. She also leaves her four grandchildren, Taylor Anderson of Austin, Will and Annelise Horne of China Spring, Harris Shinault of Austin; sister-in-law, Candace Harrison and her husband, Steve of Waco; niece, Amanda McKinley and her husband, Jim of Austin, nephew, Mike McDonald and his wife, Lu of Wylie; and their children Marshall and Ellie McKinley of Austin, and Dan and Angela McDonald of Wylie; and cousin, Karen Linstrum of Jackson, MS.

Carolyn’s family invites you to leave a message or a memory of her at her online “Tribute Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.