Nancy L. Carnes

Nancy Louise Carnes, 80, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from carcinoid cancer. She was comforted at home in her last days by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nephew. These were just a few of the loving family members whose dreams took flight over the years with the aid of her warm and supportive "make it happen" abilities.
Nancy was the second of three daughters of the late John Edward and Wilma Walker Strough of Missouri. Nancy was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, graduating from John Marshall High School in 1960. While in high school, she was a member of the masonic-affiliated girls' organization Job's Daughters. Here, she gained confidence as an organizer and leader and developed a talent for hosting gatherings that made people feel welcome.
At age 14, she met Michael Wesley Carnes, the love of her life. Mike and Nancy began dating at the age of 16 and married at 20. Her skills as a devoted long-term planner and head cheerleader flowered. An outgoing salesman, Mike would have an opportunity, and Nancy would work to support him and the family with her steadfastness and ability to manage the details of life – whether it was moving the family to a new home, traveling for Mike's competitive marathons, purchasing a motorhome to tour the country in comfort and style, and finally retiring to a small ranch property in Fredericksburg, TX. Theirs was a marriage of love and teamwork that lasted 52 years until Mike's passing in 2016.
Together, Mike and Nancy had two children, Lisa Carnes Dempsey and John Carnes. Just as she supported her husband, Nancy created a home that was full of fun and life for her children. The Carnes' house was a gathering place for all of John's and Lisa's friends. Games were played, pool parties went on into the night, and she was always available to listen to a friend who was struggling.
Throughout her lifetime, Nancy supported all of John's and Lisa's activities. John played baseball from T-Ball through college. Nancy volunteered and ran the snack stand for the nascent Kingwood/Forest Cove Baseball Association in the mid-1970s. She managed inventory and scheduled volunteers for the night and weekend games. She later parlayed those skills into ownership of Kingwood's first candy store – Candy Classics. She operated the store for a decade, providing Lisa with her first job as a shop clerk at age 14. Nancy liked the business side and loved the customers, but the chief benefit was that she was always well-supplied with one of her lifelong passions: chocolate.
Nancy's true joy was her grandchildren, Brianna, Lindsey, Luke and Eric. She had an especially close relationship with Brianna, who was aptly nicknamed "Princess." Brianna was a natural performer and attended school for music, theater, and dance. Nancy never missed a recital or performance. She always encouraged Brianna to take on new challenges, and it was her great pleasure to see her become a successful businesswoman and mother. Her devotion to supporting Lindsey, who has a disability, was foundational to Lindsey's current success in life. Lindsey adored her Mama, who was always there to patiently listen to, reassure, and motivate her when she was feeling anxious.
Later, Nancy was overjoyed to have the addition of the boys, Eric and Luke. She was proud to tell people that Eric was serving his country as an Officer in the Navy. She felt very lucky to watch her youngest grandson, Luke, grow up visiting the ranch in Fredericksburg and then later living next door in her final years of life after Mike's passing. On the occasion of Nancy and Mike's 50th wedding anniversary, Eric said, "She set the example of what it means to take care of a family for life and see the love and community that is built in that lifetime."
It truly can be said that wherever Nancy went and wherever she dedicated her efforts, she ensured that family, friends, and community achieved success – she was the wind beneath their wings.
Nancy remained close to her sisters in California and her Midwestern cousins and visited often throughout her lifetime. Nancy's cousin, William "Bill" Cheese, noted that "Nancy and Mike's marriage was a great love story. Mike's success never would have happened without her at his side. She had a strong faith, and we know they are together again, probably having a cocktail and sharing some guacamole by a pool."
While devoted to her family, Nancy enjoyed her personal time and passions. She was an avid reader and baseball and football fan. She loved going to a casino to play the slot machines. Her parents treated her to a trip to Las Vegas for her 18th birthday, and Nancy loved visiting the Desert Inn and the Tropicana. For years, she and Mike honored the birthday tradition and would invite friends for annual casino trips. Nancy's last casino visit was in May to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS, on her way to Florida with Lisa.
Nancy and Mike made many friendships and logged thousands of road miles when they purchased an RV in 1997. They were integral in the success of the motorhome club, the Country Coach Texans, in 2001. As the first President and "First Lady," they are remembered as "the ultimate hosts" and for setting a high bar for fun activities and destinations. They traveled to Palm Springs, California to spend a month each year in the coach and connected with Nancy's sisters, Judy Morey and DeeAnne Butcher, who would join them from their homes in California.
Nancy leaves many loving family members to mourn her passing, including her children, Lisa Paige Dempsey and husband Robert and John Michael Carnes (Kingwood, Texas); grandchildren Brianna Paige Lum (Stiglets) and husband Matthew Lum (Houston, TX), Lindsey Daile Stiglets, Eric Thomas Dempsey and Luke Edward Dempsey; great-grandchildren Emma Paige Lum and Charlotte Leigh Lum; nephews Bryan Morey, Dan Butcher (Sara), Dean Butcher and Ron Butcher.
Nancy is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Wesley Carnes; sisters, Judy K. Morey and Dee Anne Butcher; and nephew, Gary Morey
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 pm, January 12, 2024, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Kingwood, Texas. In lieu of flowers, Nancy requested donations be made to the Forgotten Wishes Foundation (www.forgottenwishesfoundation.org).