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Text Box: Carol "Casey" Korenek   April 2005 Here is a Casey to remember - She was so happy and proud to have completed decorating her new kitchen in her home in Waco.  After retiring from the University of Texas she moved to Waco and purchased a home that was just right for her.  Where does one begin to tell her story - Well I guess you have to start at the beginning. Carol Jean McGraw was born on February 20th, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, to Frances and Lester McGraw. Growing up she was surrounded by a loving family, including grandparents from both sides as well as aunts, uncles and so many cousins. Life was grand until her mother and father decided to move to Texas.  She adapted quickly to living in the country, meeting new friends and riding her new horse.  She asked to be called "Dale Evans" around the house.  For Christmas she wanted a cowgirl outfit including boots. The next move took the family to Galveston.  Not too far away from the country home but now she was living in the city again.  Galveston played a huge role throughout the rest of her life.  Learning came easy to Carol.  She didn't need to study a lot to do well in school! Her most important role was that as a mother and a grandmother.  She was so happy with the birth of each and every grandchild. Carol devoted herself to her children.  She loved having them gather with their fiends at her home.  Sports on the TV and kids and pets all over the house made her so happy. God has to love Carol for all of his creatures that she fed, nurtured, nursed and returned to the wild as a "wildlife rescuer."  She was so happy when caring for weak, injured or traumatized raccoons, squirrels and birds.  When Tracy came into the world Carol was so happy. Tracy was the apple of her eye. Some years went by before she met, fell in love and married Bill Korenek. Their firstborn, a darling baby boy,  was named after his father. But he was always known as "Chip" as in "chip off the old block." As Chip grew up Carol's admiration for him grew and grew. No Mother could have been prouder than her when Chip married Jill. During the time Carol lived in Colorado (near Chip and Jill), and even after moving to Texas or elsewhere "Nana" always managed to keep up with and in touch with her grandsons Jordan and Kevin. The last child of Carol's is named Toni. A daughter that was loved dearly for her sweet and caring ways. She also brought many smiles to Carol with the birth of each of Toni's children Melissa and Alan. There was no place on earth she would rather be than with Toni during the birth of those two grandchildren. They were truly loved by their "Nana".  All of her children and grandchildren gave her enormous pleasure. Now there is a great granddaughter born to Melissa in April 2005 so Carol's family continues to grow. What she started goes on and on.  How do I (the writer of this tribute and only sibling of Carol) sum up the life of the best sister and friend I could ever have wanted? Impossible task. But why sum up her life? It is still going on. Just in a different way.  I can truthfully say that she really did do it her way. Carol lived and loved with gusto! She loved her children, grandchildren, all of her family. She loved animals, sports, driving, coca cola and we cannot leave out Elvis!!!!! 

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