Carole Edith Simank
On Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, Carole Edith Simank, loving sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 83.
Carole, lovingly known as “MamaCo” or “CoCo” was born on Oct. 26, 1939, in Temple to parents Ike and Frances (Stephens) Camp.
She grew up on a farm in San Gabriel and graduated from Thorndale High School, where she met the love of her life, Dennis Ray Simank.
After attending the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, she eloped with Dennis on June 29, 1957, in Mexico. They raised two sons, Stephen and John, and had two granddaughters, Mariah and Meghan. Their marriage lasted over 57 years until Dennis’ death on May 2, 2015.
Carole and Dennis lived in Austin until her father’s death, which brought them back to her childhood home in San Gabriel to care for her mother, Frances. Carole and Dennis refurbished the historic house and grounds, paving the way for many years of additional memories to be made.
Her heart and her generosity knew no bounds. Her door was always open, and family, friends, and neighbors knew they had a place to stay for a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days to enjoy her hospitality, generosity, and infamous sand crescent cookies and cheese straws.
Carole was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. A true role model in all aspects of life, she was an avid reader, gardener, and art lover.
Carole loved serving her community. She sat on the MARC Center board and was a member of the Milam County Historical Commission, Rockdale Reading Club and Rockdale Garden Club.
We will think of Carole each time the doves sing, the lilies and bluebonnets bloom, or when we visit San Antonio, one of her favorite places.
Carole was preceded in death by her father, Ike Camp, her mother, Frances Camp, and her husband, Dennis Simank.
She is survived by her sisters, Nancy Camp Jackson and Mary Camp Gauntt; brother Charles Hardin Camp; brother-in-law Craig Jackson; her two children, Stephen and John Simank; daughter-in-law Valerie Simank; granddaughters Mariah Simank and Frances Simank; and nieces and nephews that include: Drew, Jennifer, and Ann Katherine Jackson; Marshall, Jennifer, John and Caroline Jackson and Kara and Morgan Teague; Margaret, Jason, Whit and McClure Dodson; Lauren, Ryan, Camp and Henry Carpenter; and Hardin and Austin Camp.
A special thank you to son-in-law Ryan Carpenter and her sister Mary Gauntt, for their loving care; to Patty Howell, who was like another sister; and to the love given to Carole by life-long friends Virginia Wedeikes, Annabell Hodge and Claire Fryer.
In lieu of sending flowers, we invite you to make a donation to the Milam County Historical Commission in her honor. The Milam County Historical Commission address is 2101 O’Kelley, Rockdale, TX, 76567 (c/o Geri Burnett).