Leola Carmen

Leola (Blackwell) Caldwell Carman, 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7, 2026, following a brief illness. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, and she will be deeply missed.

Leola was born on February 4, 1928, in McDade, Texas, to Willie and Ethel (Kelton) Blackwell. She spent her early life on the family farm with her parents, brother George and sister Bettye. When Leola’s brother began playing guitar, he recruited her to learn and play along with him. World War II changed life for everyone when the family property was taken to create Camp Swift. It was at Camp Swift where Leola met Jess Caldwell, a young soldier from Kentucky. They married in March 1944, and settled near Bastrop, Texas. Their family grew as they welcomed two daughters, Diana and Carol. The family later moved into Bastrop to be closer to schools for their daughters.

Mostly out of necessity, Leola began sewing clothes for her family — everything from pajamas to dresses, pants and even winter coats. As the girls got older, she created prom dresses and a wedding dress. Leola maintained a large garden for many years. She canned much of her produce or gave it away, and cooked homemade meals for family and friends.

As their daughters became teenagers, Leola returned to work at J. Fox Department Store in Bastrop. She continued to tend her garden, sew, and later she began to research and record genealogy and family history to share with relatives and future generations.

Leola and Jess were married over 45 years, until he passed in March 1990.

Following the death of Jess, Leola met Charles Carman and they married in July 1991. At Charles’ urging, Leola began to play guitar again, and she added the dulcimer and fiddle to her instrument list of accomplishments. This renewed interest in music led to the creation of the Kitchen Pickers band who played at local nursing homes for years as well as the Bastrop Senior Center, which Leola and Charles helped to found. Leola enjoyed playing old country classics and even wrote a song or two over the years. She shared her love of music through guitar lessons with her granddaughter, grandson-in-law, a great grandson and a grand nephew.

Leola and Charles were married for 31 years, until he passed in July 2022.

Leola is preceded in death by her parents, brother George Blackwell, and husbands Jess Caldwell and Charles Carman, sister-in-law Marion Blackwell, brother-in-law Bruce Light and sons-in-law Phil Bradley and Everette Saunders.

She is survived by her daughters Diana Saunders and Carol Patterson (Blan); grandchildren Anissa Gahagan (David), Erik Bradley (Rebecca) and Ryan Bradley (Rayna); five great grandsons Chucky, Jess, Reagan, CJ and Trenton, and sister Bettye Light.

Her nephews and niece were also special to her; Jerry Light, Gerry Light, Karen Day, John Blackwell and Jim Blackwell, as well as Charles Carman’s family.

Pallbearers: Erik Bradley, Ryan Bradley, Jess Bradley, Reagan Bradley, John Blackwell, Jim Blackwell, David Gahagan.

Honorary Pallbearers: Blan Patterson, Jerry Light, Gerry Light, Chucky Bradley, CJ Bradley, Trenton Bradley.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 13, 2026 at Marrs Jones Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas. The visitation will begin at 12:00pm and the Funeral Service will begin at 2:00pm with burial following at Fairview Cemetery.

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