Carole Cobble Wills

Carole remained at home as long as possible, surrounded by her family, before moving to Buckner Parkway Place Memory Care in early 2025. Her final moments reflected the grace and warmth she brought to every chapter of her life.

Born on August 30, 1944, in Silsbee, Texas, Carole’s lifelong love of music blossomed early. As a child, she eagerly began piano lessons—a passion that would remain with her throughout her life. By high school, she was not only honing her musical talents but also sharing them, frequently stepping in as a substitute organist at the local Methodist Church. During those formative years, Carole also spent her summers working as a secretary at Silsbee State Bank, displaying responsibility and a strong work ethic from an early age.

Following graduation, Carole attended Lon Morris Junior College in Jacksonville, Texas, majoring in music and education. She continued her studies at Lamar College of Technology (now Lamar University) in Beaumont, earning her Business Degree in 1966. Embarking on her professional journey, Carole worked in Beaumont and shared an apartment with three girlfriends, forging lifelong bonds and memories.

In 1968, Carole married Jim Wills after he completed his master’s degree in mathematics. Their lives together began with a shared sense of adventure, moving to Houston after their honeymoon for Jim’s new position at Texaco. Carole soon found her own footing, securing a secretarial job at Shell just blocks from Jim’s office, allowing them to commute together and build their new life side by side.

Later that year, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his basic training, they relocated to Washington, D.C., where Jim was stationed at the Pentagon as a programmer—a post influenced by his previous experience at Texaco. True to her determined spirit, Carole quickly found secretarial work in a nearby office, and the couple settled into life in Arlington, Virginia, just a mile from the Pentagon.

When Jim’s service ended, the couple returned to Houston. Carole secured a position with a group of patent attorneys in a Galleria office. However, with the arrival of their first child, James, in 1972, Carole embraced a new role as a stay-at-home mom. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter, Julie, in 1974. During these precious years, Carole poured her heart into raising her children—organizing play dates, visiting playgrounds, and fostering lasting friendships within the neighborhood.

As James and Julie entered elementary school at Askew Elementary, Carole’s love for education led her to begin substitute teaching. This next chapter blossomed further when, after her children moved on to junior high, she was invited by Lorraine Drake to substitute at The Briarwood School.

Carole’s dedication and warmth quickly propelled her from substitute to full-time teacher, and ultimately to the role of Principal (Head of School) at Briarwood. Under her leadership, the school flourished. Carole was known for her remarkable ability to make everyone feel seen—she greeted every student by name each morning, a practice fondly remembered by both students and staff. As one colleague shared, “Carole believed that every child deserved to feel important the moment they walked through our doors. She set the tone for our school community with a simple smile and a heartfelt hello.” Her commitment was unwavering; she often left home by 5:30 a.m. and didn’t return until evening, finding deep fulfillment in guiding the school toward excellence. Briarwood, a unique institution with about 300 students with learning disabilities and the smaller Tuttle School for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, thrived under Carole’s care, boasting an impressive rate of college attendance and a nurturing environment where students learned not just academics, but also self-advocacy and resilience.

Even before becoming Principal, Carole was active within her community—teaching piano lessons at home, serving as neighborhood board president twice, and creating whimsical seasonal drawings each evening. She often framed these small works of art and gifted them to friends, leaving tangible reminders of her generosity and creativity. These pursuits continued alongside her professional life, reflecting her boundless energy and passion for enriching the lives of others.

Carole’s pride in her family was evident in every aspect of her life. Her son James moved to New York in his early twenties, forging a successful career at Coty, where he designed perfume bottles and packaging for clients around the world—a role he cherished. James was married to Hope Rigby from 2003 until his passing from colon cancer in 2014. Julie, Carole’s daughter, married Darin Preston in 2001, and together they had Elliott in 2005. Both Julie and Elliott have Carole as a middle name, a testament to their close bond. Shopping trips became a beloved tradition for Carole, Julie, and later Elliott, who joined the outings as soon as she was born. Well into Carole’s later years, Julie and Elliott continued to pick her up for quick shopping excursions whenever possible. Carole cherished her role as Elliott’s grandmother; they shared a special closeness, whether drawing together, sitting side by side in Carole’s office at Briarwood, or enjoying their daily Starbucks run—a ritual Elliott proudly maintains as a student at UT in Austin. “It’s because of grandmother that I do this,” Elliott says, carrying Carole’s spirit into her own routines.

Carole was a kind, caring soul whose deep love for family and friends touched everyone she met. Her legacy endures not only in the achievements of her students and the warmth of her community but also in the hearts of those who were privileged to know her. She was truly the best, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carole Wills Scholarship Fund at The Briarwood School, honoring her enduring dedication to education and the lives she transformed. See Briarwood’s tribute and donate here...

https://briarwoodschool.org/in-memory-of-carole-wills/