Carolyn Velier Earp

Carolyn Mae Velier Earp, 85, of Allen, Texas passed away peacefully after an extended hospital stay.

Carolyn was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 18, 1938, to Maynard Velier and Margaret Hiltgen Velier. During her youth she moved to Franklin and Oil City, Pennsylvania, and doted on her baby brother. Carolyn was a dedicated and talented majorette and baton twirler. She loved both performing and teaching, founding Velier's Indian Bonnettes and Alpinettes youth twirling group. Carolyn excelled at competitions, at one time simultaneously holding the Pennsylvania and Ohio State Twirling Championships. She toured with President Eisenhower’s marching band celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. Her talents led her to Kent State University in Ohio where for four years she was the Kent State “Golden Girl”, Head Majorette, graduating with a degree in Business Administration.

After graduating, Carolyn realized she missed teaching. Taking a job with Highland Springs High School, Carolyn taught Business classes in Highland Springs, Virgina. There she met the love of her life, fellow teacher and coach, Thomas Earp. Tom and Carolyn wed in 1964 and began their exciting life together. They moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, continued teaching, and welcomed their daughter, Laura Beth in 1967. The family moved to Dudley Massachusetts in 1969, welcoming a son, Steven Russell. In 1970 the family joined the First Congregational Church in Dudley. Carolyn taught at Shepherd Hill Regional High School from its opening in 1973 until her retirement in 2000. Carolyn taught thousands of students over her 30 years as a teacher of general business and administration skills, typewriting/keyboarding, and accounting. She was an active mother, driving her children to countless events, doing piles of laundry and cheering on their many accomplishments. She was an enthusiastic supporter of her daughter’s color guard and band activities and her son’s athletic and performing arts events.

After she lost Tom to illness in 1988, she focused on her children and their families, cherishing her four grandchildren. She had an adventurous spirit, travelling with friends and her red hat group all over New England, the country and the world. After her retirement she stayed close with her former co-workers.  She generously helped lead her dear friends in the Dudley knitting group to provide a pair of mittens and a hat to every Dudley kindergarten and first grade student for over a decade. The group also made lap robes for veterans in nursing homes and burial gowns for the neonatal unit of UMASS Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts. Carolyn also volunteered supporting the Black Tavern Historical Society, serving as an active board member for many years.

Carolyn was very bright, a loyal and caring friend and shared her keen sense of humor with her friends and family. To be closer to family she moved to Texas in 2020 to Parkview Senior Living in Allen.  She once again made some deep and abiding friendships, serving as a Resident Ambassador and as a member of the facility's Walker Line Dancing Group. She navigated the physical challenges of aging with resilience and grace, remaining sharp of mind throughout her almost 86 years.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter Laura Hughes, son Steven (Patti) Earp, her four grandchildren Carrie Hughes Overstreet (Dillon), Thomas, Serena and Amanda Earp, nine loving nieces and nephews and many other extended family members. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas R. Earp, her parents, Maynard and Margaret Velier, and her brother M. John Velier.

A memorial service to celebrate Carolyn’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. (CST), Friday June 14, 2024, at Allen Family Funeral Options.  If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/101552

A reception will immediately follow.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to:

Black Tavern Historical Society: please send checks to The Black Tavern Historical Society, P.O. Box 143 Dudley, MA 01571

Tiffany Glass Windows Restoration First Congregational Dudley: visit Tiffany300.org