Frances Rachael Carr Tapp

Frances Rachael Carr Tapp passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, at her family home with her husband Felix holding her hand. Frances embodied the saying "live a great story", crafting an unconventional, elegant life that wove together a tapestry of fascinating people, lively music, and horse races.

Born on October 31, 1951, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Frank William Carr and May "Topsy" Dougherty King. Frances grew up in "Mer Maison" on Ocean Drive in Corpus Christi and traveled extensively with her family during her childhood. She attended Incarnate Word Academy and Rosemary Hall in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Frances moved to Marin, California, and became embedded in the music industry. Returning to Texas, Frances opened Manor Downs Racetrack, which had an unofficial slogan of "Horse Racing and Rock and Roll". Frances was pivotal in the development of the Austin live music scene, and she contributed to the launch of many storied careers, including the Grateful Dead, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Willie Nelson. That said, Frances was always understated and kept her role largely behind the scenes where she enjoyed the music, her friends, and the ponies.

A Texas woman at heart, Frances was as comfortable hunting dove and quail at their South Texas ranch as she was in Palm Beach where she and Felix spent many happy seasons. Frances's almost decade-long battle with cancer and the grace she brought to that challenge was a profile of courage, resilience, and dignity. Frances lived her life on her terms, inspiring tremendous affection and loyalty in those who knew her best.

Frances is preceded in death by her mother and father, sister Caroline "Biddy" Baxter Pauley, and her brothers Frank William "Billy" Carr Jr., and Bruce Beverly Baxter III. She is survived by her husband Felix Cowan Tapp; nieces Rachael Carr, Rachael Pauley, and Caroline J. Pauley; nephew Peter (Magda) Pauley Jr.; and a close group of dear friends who will miss her greatly.

A Memorial Service will be held at Seaside Reid Chapel, 4357 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78412 on Saturday, April 5, at 1 PM with an Inurnment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Coastal Bend Community Foundation, 555 N. Carancahua St., Suite 900, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78401, www.cbcfoundation.org.