Official Obituary of
Carolyn (Shrum) Tannery
March 10, 1937 ~ July 23, 2026 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Carolyn Tannery Obituary
Carolyn R. (Shrum) Tannery, age 89, of Rio Communities, NM, stepped from the loving embrace of her family into Jesus' arms on July 23, 2026.
Carolyn was born on March 10, 1937, in Ashland, Ohio. Her family lived in towns across Ohio, as her father pastored several Nazarene churches before settling in Mt Washington, Ohio. She attended primary and secondary schools in Ohio where she graduated from Anderson High School. She went on to Olivet Nazarene College (now University) in Illinois. Where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Upon completion she began teaching 2nd grade in Ohio, then moved to Kansas City where she taught both 3rd and 5th grade. While in Kansas City she was introduced to the love of her life, Kenneth H Tannery, they were married in December of 1963 and moved to his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. She was a substitute teacher at several elementary schools before she laid aside her teaching duties for a season giving her full attention to motherhood.
In 1971, Carolyn and Ken moved to Belen, NM. Where she spearheaded and implemented a new educational idea at the local elementary school, Rio Grande, this new idea was the PTA.
In 1978, she and several others had a burden for the youth of the community, they worked together and began a new school, Manzano Christian Acadamy, where she taught 7th - 12th grades for 13 years. She began a new journey with a younger crowd from1988-1992, she taught preschool at Hope Christian School in Albuquerque. She came full circle back to the public school system in 1994 when she began teaching 3rd grade at La Merced elementary school here in the Rio Communities where she taught until her retirement in 2002.
Carolyn and Ken were blessed with three beautiful daughters as they walked through life together. Family was not just blood to them, there are so many that they called their children who they both poured their life, love, time, energy, laughter and prayers into. They opened their home to many young people who needed love and stability. Carolyn continued this blessing by being a mentor to a multitude of people of all ages. She was known throughout the community as Mrs. Tannery the schoolteacher but she was also known as Granny, especially to those at the Rio Communities Fire Department.
She attended the Rio Communities Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene where she was a founding member, there she taught Sunday School, Missions lessons, puppet ministry, music director and so much more. Anyone who knew Carolyn understood that her
faith was the most important thing in her life. When people would ask, "How are you' she would always reply 'It is well with my soul'.
Carolyn is survived by her daughters: Tonya (Mike) Gelder of Albuquerque, NM, Cheryl (Rev. Dr. David) Hazel of Yukon, OK and Melanie (Rev. Dr. Chad) Good of Rio Communities, NM; step-children Robin (Don) Wilson of Cleburne, TX and Wayne (Cathy) Tannery of Flugerville, TX ; her grandchildren K. Joshua (Emma) Good, Benji (Hannah) Hazel, (Rev.)Tiffany Hazel, Andrew Good and Kendal Good; Logan (Britney) Wilson, Danaca (Kyle) Fraunberger, Brennen Wilson, Kryn Sisson and Nicki Ramm; 17 great-grand children and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Arthur & Mary Louise Shrum; husband, Kenneth H Tannery; sister, Marjorie Schwab and grandson, Chase Wilson.
Celebration of Life Service: Friday July, 31 at 10:00am
Rio Communities Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene
102 La Luna Place
Internment: Santa Fe National Cemetery
Love gifts can be given to the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene transport ministry: Hands of Hope or Bonita Park Nazarene Camp and Conference Center.
Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service, where an online guest register is available online.
Carolyn was born on March 10, 1937, in Ashland, Ohio. Her family lived in towns across Ohio, as her father pastored several Nazarene churches before settling in Mt Washington, Ohio. She attended primary and secondary schools in Ohio where she graduated from Anderson High School. She went on to Olivet Nazarene College (now University) in Illinois. Where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Upon completion she began teaching 2nd grade in Ohio, then moved to Kansas City where she taught both 3rd and 5th grade. While in Kansas City she was introduced to the love of her life, Kenneth H Tannery, they were married in December of 1963 and moved to his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. She was a substitute teacher at several elementary schools before she laid aside her teaching duties for a season giving her full attention to motherhood.
In 1971, Carolyn and Ken moved to Belen, NM. Where she spearheaded and implemented a new educational idea at the local elementary school, Rio Grande, this new idea was the PTA.
In 1978, she and several others had a burden for the youth of the community, they worked together and began a new school, Manzano Christian Acadamy, where she taught 7th - 12th grades for 13 years. She began a new journey with a younger crowd from1988-1992, she taught preschool at Hope Christian School in Albuquerque. She came full circle back to the public school system in 1994 when she began teaching 3rd grade at La Merced elementary school here in the Rio Communities where she taught until her retirement in 2002.
Carolyn and Ken were blessed with three beautiful daughters as they walked through life together. Family was not just blood to them, there are so many that they called their children who they both poured their life, love, time, energy, laughter and prayers into. They opened their home to many young people who needed love and stability. Carolyn continued this blessing by being a mentor to a multitude of people of all ages. She was known throughout the community as Mrs. Tannery the schoolteacher but she was also known as Granny, especially to those at the Rio Communities Fire Department.
She attended the Rio Communities Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene where she was a founding member, there she taught Sunday School, Missions lessons, puppet ministry, music director and so much more. Anyone who knew Carolyn understood that her
faith was the most important thing in her life. When people would ask, "How are you' she would always reply 'It is well with my soul'.
Carolyn is survived by her daughters: Tonya (Mike) Gelder of Albuquerque, NM, Cheryl (Rev. Dr. David) Hazel of Yukon, OK and Melanie (Rev. Dr. Chad) Good of Rio Communities, NM; step-children Robin (Don) Wilson of Cleburne, TX and Wayne (Cathy) Tannery of Flugerville, TX ; her grandchildren K. Joshua (Emma) Good, Benji (Hannah) Hazel, (Rev.)Tiffany Hazel, Andrew Good and Kendal Good; Logan (Britney) Wilson, Danaca (Kyle) Fraunberger, Brennen Wilson, Kryn Sisson and Nicki Ramm; 17 great-grand children and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Arthur & Mary Louise Shrum; husband, Kenneth H Tannery; sister, Marjorie Schwab and grandson, Chase Wilson.
Celebration of Life Service: Friday July, 31 at 10:00am
Rio Communities Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene
102 La Luna Place
Internment: Santa Fe National Cemetery
Love gifts can be given to the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene transport ministry: Hands of Hope or Bonita Park Nazarene Camp and Conference Center.
Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service, where an online guest register is available online.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn (Shrum) Tannery, please visit our floral store.
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