Carol Jane Shivers

Carol Jane Brown Shivers was born on July 26, 1944, in Roosevelt, Utah to Raymond Sampson Brown and Elizabeth Anderton Brown. She was raised in Montwell, Utah, and was the middle child of five children. Growing up on a ranch, Carol learned hard work at an early age. She loved tending and herding cattle with her father. She knew how to sew, can, grow vegetables and plants and drove at an earlier age than most.

Carol attended Roosevelt Junior High School. In 1962 she graduated from Union High School known as “The Yoon.” In her senior year at “The Yoon” she was voted “Sweetheart of Union High. It was recorded Carol captured the hearts of the judges with her beauty, talent and vivaciousness.

 In the fall of 1963, Carol enrolled at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where she majored in Art. It was at USU where Carol met fellow student and football player Roy “Shifty” Shivers. Carol actively participated in the school’s club and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Little Sisters of Minerva. As news spread on campus about their inter racial relationship Carol and Roy faced discrimination. Teachers were known to spy on them while studying and Carol was kicked out of her sorority. In July of 1966, Carol and Roy eloped to Las Vegas. Little did they know, Carol’s dad and little sister drove to Las Vegas looking for them with a shot gun in the trunk. 

Shortly after they were married, Carol and Roy moved to Oakland, California. In December 1966, Carol had her first child ReNe’e. While in Oakland, Carol worked at a meat packing plant and Bank of America in San Francisco. In October of 1970, Carol had her second daughter Nicole. During the rich, cultural, and political environment of the Bay Area at this time, Carol would take her daughters to the Black Panther Party’s breakfast programs, and their medical clinics. Carol also played a pivotal role in nurturing many of her nieces and nephews. 

In the summer of 1976, Roy accepted a coaching job at UNLV and the family moved to Las Vegas. Coming from the Bay Area surrounded by water to the desert, Carol would often say “what is this place, it’s too hot.” Carol started working at Rebel Oil, as the Human Resource Director. She was with the company for over thirty-five years.

Carol was always present and an avid supporter of her daughters and their school activities. She never missed any of ReNe’e’s basketball games and even drove to Reno for her state basketball championship. 

Carol was a natural conversationalist and leader who was always available for so many people. She was a comfort not only for her family but for so many. She was a “bonus mom” for so many people which included numerous football players through the years. 

She loved art and was an outstanding creative and resourceful person. She had the opportunity to travel to art exhibitions around the world including Mexico, Spain and London and was an avid art collector and artist. 

Carol is survived by her husband Roy Shivers, daughters ReNe’e and Nicole, son-in-law Cedric Welch, grandchildren Nicholas, Nico’ and Feride and one greatgrandchild Brooklyn. 

Preceding Carol in death was her father Raymond, mother Elizabeth, brother Fred, and sisters Rosalee and Helen.