Carolyn Butler Taylor Stern

The world is a less interesting place because Carolyn Butler Taylor Stern passed away peacefully Saturday, January 18, 2025, in Houston, TX, surrounded by loved ones after dealing with several health issues. Carolyn was born in Fayette, AL on February 3, 1938. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1959 where she met and married Richard A. Taylor. They moved to Maryville, TN with their son Alex in 1963. Carolyn loved to stay busy, putting her energy into raising Alex, having a vibrant social life and parlaying a love of sales into careers in real estate and car sales. She was a trailblazer in the local auto industry where she was the only woman and the highest producing salesperson. Carolyn and Richard enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 31 years until his death in 1990.

Carolyn then met the second love of her life, George T. Stern. Having both lost a spouse to cancer, Carolyn and George connected through their shared experiences, fell in love and married. They lived in Morristown, NJ; Maryville, TN; and Treasure Cay, Bahamas, before settling in Tequesta, FL in 2006. They were happily married for 27 years until George’s death in 2019.

Carolyn enjoyed traveling extensively around the world with both husbands. They found adventure in exploring other cultures, food and people.

Carolyn was a larger-than-life personality who embodied the definition of charisma. Having moved to Houston at age 84, she made new friends on day one. Wherever she went, people were drawn to her as she “held court.” Always ready with a good story or a well-timed Southern phrase, you quickly knew how she felt about most subjects (and you). There was never a doubt where she stood on any topic. If she ever disagreed with you, she was always quick to get over it, and she never held a grudge. She was quick to point out to anyone that “please, thank you, yes ma’am and no ma’am” would get you through life and that a handwritten thank you note was of the upmost importance.

She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Chilhowee Investment Club.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Maytle F. Butler and Ed Caine Butler; her husband Richard A. Taylor; her husband George T. Stern; and her great-granddaughter Lyla K. Taylor. She is survived by her sister Margaret C. Butler of Maryville, TN; her son Alex Taylor (Melissa F. Taylor) of Houston, TX; grandsons Caine R. Taylor (Emily K. Taylor) of Fate, TX and Adam F. Taylor (Kristie A. O’Neill) of Brooklyn, NY; great- grandson Wyatt A. Taylor of Fate, TX; niece Susan C. Evans (Walter E. Evans) of Dallas, TX, great niece Grace C. Evans of Washington, DC and great nephew Samuel B. Evans of Birmingham, AL; stepsons Andrew Stern (Irene Yen) of Oakland, CA and Gary Stern of Branchburg, NJ; and step grandsons Railey Stern Yen and Kai Stern Yen.

The family is grateful for the care Carolyn received over the years at Addington Place in Jupiter, FL and Clearwater at the Heights in Houston senior living communities.

Per Carolyn’s request, there will be no service. The family will be gathering to tell her stories and repeat her Southern phrases, and there will be plenty of “pleases, thank yous” and probably a thank you note or two.

Donations may be made to the University of Alabama, College of Human Environmental Sciences for the Carolyn Butler Taylor Stern Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design Scholarship Fund using the following link: https://give.ua.edu/?d=2E58F04B-F04E-44B5-A0D5-F56740D8A03A