Carolyn Kay Lewallen

Carolyn Kay (Johnson) Lewallen of Edmond, passed away on July 4, 2025 at the age of 87. She was born January 19, 1938 in Oklahoma City to Edward and Kathryn Johnson. Carolyn grew up in a happy home along with her younger sister Janet.

Carolyn graduated in 1956 from Northwest Classen High School, the very first year it opened. She was involved in Student Council, Honor Art Society and was part of the Classettes and Coronets. She stayed in touch with classmates over the years by attending reunions and occasional get-togethers.

She married her high school sweetheart, Robert Lewallen, on August 2, 1957 at the First Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City. Robert and Carolyn were married for 34 years until his passing. They had five children. Both were 19 when they got married and she worked to support them as he completed his college degree. They never forgot their humble beginnings in the tiny apartment they lived in. They were so poor, they painted little flowers on the floor to make it look like linoleum. A few years later, as his career was blossoming outside the home, Carolyn kept things running smoothly at home by cleaning, cooking, running errands, mowing, transporting kids to activities and more. She was a master of moving the living room furniture around - sometimes as many as three times a week. It made her family wonder if their mind was playing tricks on them. She worked long hours. They both enjoyed their freetime by traveling.

Carolyn was a talented artist that started out by doing drawings in school and later took up oil painting. A lot of her paintings were given to family and friends that adorn the walls of their homes to this day. They are definite treasures.

She was a member of the Edmond Women's Club and liked the fact that it was a way to give back to the community in various fundraisers but also enjoyed the social aspect of it with friends.

Carolyn didn't like driving on the highway. After Robert passed away in 1991, she would drive to church by taking Western Avenue from her home in north Edmond to downtown Oklahoma City. Once there, she would occasionally volunteer as a greeter. It was her church home since 1957 when she got married. She was a faithful servant.

When Robert passed away, she had to learn to handle the finances by herself. Her financial prowess and saviness for saving became the norm. She was a tough lady. She lost a baby that lived to be one day old. She lost her husband of 34 years to cancer. She was married to Dub Watson from 1996 to 1999 until his passing. Shortly thereafter, she changed her last name back to Lewallen. She was a strong woman that kept on going.

For her 50th high school class reunion, Carolyn had to write about herself, and she started out saying 'The last 50 years have been happy, sad and busy.' In the middle of her writing, she wrote 'I am proud of my four children and 12 grandchildren.' Then she wrapped it up by saying 'I also enjoy shopping, church, being with friends and decorating my home. Then at the end of the day, a quiet evening at home with music and a glass of wine.' She sure did experience life. What a wonderful life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Kathryn; infant son William; husband, Robert of 34 years; husband, Dub Watson of 3 years.

She is survived by her sister Janet McCarty, son and daughter-in-law Mark and Courtney Lewallen, son and daughter-in-law Greg and Laura Lewallen, daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Marland Thurman, son and daughter-in-law John and Andrea Lewallen, 12 grandchildren: Zach and wife Megan, Ford and wife Kelsey, Caleb and wife Rana, Rebecca and husband Rafa, Megan, Matthew, Corbin, Cody and wife Maddie, Hannah and husband Josh, Macy, Mia and Will. 7 great-grandchildren: Hayden, Trevor, Lainey, Levi, Landry, Adalyn, Carter and Brooks. She was affectionately called 'Nana' by her grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Monday July 14, 2025 at 10:30 am and visitation will be Sunday July 13, 2025 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Oklahoma Chapter, https://www.alz.org/oklahoma