Carolyn Belt Story

Carolyn Belt Story, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully and sacredly on February 16th, 2026, surrounded by family. She was 90 years old. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, love, kindness, selflessness, and generosity; attributes she exuded every day of her life to all whom she loved and cared for. These were lessons she learned early on from her cherished parents and grandparents.

Born on May 3, 1935 in Cameron, Texas to Jim and Gladys Belt, she was one of four children. She attended Milano High School and graduated first in her class in 1953.

Carolyn grew up on a farm with her parents and grandparents, WA Belt and Ala Rae Belt, and treasured siblings Jimmy Belt, Jane Heitman, and Jeanette Kerr. Together, they raised cattle and produce where she tended to the garden every summer - watermelons, cantaloupe and tomatoes were abundant. She was an incredible cook and homemaker having learned so much from her parents and grandparents. In her high school years, she and her sisters loved to go dancing. Often, they would drive to Taylor where they would see Jimmy Heat and the Melody Masters. A highlight was seeing Elvis in Ft. Hood with her siblings Jimmy and Jane, even sewing handmade poodle skirts with records on them to wear for the event.

In her senior year of High School, she was recognized with the Future Farmer of America Sweetheart award and letter jacket to accompany. She married after graduating to a Fort Hood soldier and had her first son, Carl, in 1954. They were transferred to a U.S. Army Base in Heidelberg, Germany in 1955, where she had two more children, Jackie and David, and lived there for several years. They then returned to Texas where she had her fourth child, Bruce.

Back in Milano, Carolyn worked for several years at Magna Craft where they produced fabrics and draperies. She later married Bill Story on February 14th, 1971 and was a devoted wife, mother, and caretaker for her mother, Gladys. She resided in Milano, Texas for all her remaining years. Her final years were spent in the comfort and care of her two sons in Belton.

She is survived by her sibling Jeanette Kerr and children David, Bruce and Jackie. Grandchildren include Emily, Amanda, Michelle, Matthew, Jon-Eric, Steven, and Brooke. Great-grandchildren include Sofia, June, Isabella, Evelyn, Jake-Ryan, and Isaiah. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Story and son, Carl Edward Burgess, Jr.