Carole Anne Clester

Our Yellow Rose of Texas, Carole Anne (Zenner) Clester, 84, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on October 5, 2025. Carole is survived by her loving daughter, Shana Clester Scott (Amy), and the granddaughter she was so proud of, Alexandra (Lexie) Scott.
Born on July 13, 1941, in Denver, Colorado, Carole was a military child whose early years took her across the country - from Destin, Florida, to Wichita, Kansas, where she finished high school and met her husband, Wm. Samuel Clester. Married in 1960, the couple later moved to Houston, Texas where they divorced in 1974. Carole stayed in Houston, sometimes working up to three jobs to raise Shana as a single mom. In 1988, Carole moved to Austin, where she called home and ended her varied career as a contract specialist at TCEQ. After her retirement in 2021, she said a wistful goodbye to the Lone Star State, and moved to Montclair, New Jersey, to live with her daughter and family.
Carole was cherished in her community for her friendly nature, her warm southern drawl, and her Texas style, always fashionable, always colorful, and always uniquely Carole. She loved any adventure, a road trip, a good bowl of queso, a day at the beach. She had a crazy love of cats, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family. She was a passionate and vocal spectator at her granddaughter's sporting events and dance recitals. You never knew what was going to come out of her mouth, and most people loved that about her.
Carole was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Elizabeth, her parents, Mary Adeline (Bates) and Edward H. Zenner, her sister, Nancy Lee Zenner, brother, Edward H. Zenner Jr.
Carole lived large, loved deeply, and left a lasting mark on those fortunate enough to know her.
The family will have a private ceremony and memorial to follow.