Mary Jean Karnes (Jolly) passed away peacefully on November 21, 2021 after a valiant battle against the debilitating effects of a stroke. She was born March 1st 1947 in Coleman, Texas to parents Adell and Edna Jolly. Mary was an amazing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Although she had a challenging childhood, growing up in Brownwood, Mary’s loving nature and perseverance, pushed her through in life.
As a child, Mary enjoyed the small-town life spending time with her sister Sharon. In order to earn money for clothes and fuel her adventurous spirit, Mary worked as a young model, where her beauty and adventurous spirit shined.
In Brownwood, Mary met Charles Karnes, and fell in love. In 1962, she and Charles were married. In 1966, they moved to Amarillo Air Force Base, TX. Later that year, they gave birth to their first child, Anthony Karnes, tragically he was born with birth defect and died two days later. However, the tragedy did not stop their desire for a big family, and they were blessed with three lovely girls. After 25 years together, they ended their marriage in 1986, and 1987, she moved to Dallas, to start a new chapter in her life. In Dallas, Mary continued working with GTE, where she had an exemplary career spanning more than 27 years as a Customer Care Advocate. After she retired, she moved back to Brownwood to spend time with her family.
In 2016, Mary moved to Corpus Christi with her companion Joseph. She enjoyed walks on the beach, the ocean breeze and their dog Buddy. She was excited to have her children and grandchildren visit. Her adventures in Corpus Christi were hampered by a debilitating stroke, but she was still able to enjoy the town in her wheelchair with Joseph’s help. In February of 2018, in order to receive better care, Mary left Corpus Christi and eventually settled in Keller near her daughters at Keller Oaks.
Mary was known for many things. Besides her passion for chocolate and coffee, she loved animals, gardening, cooking, photography, adventure, and Elvis. She was known for her haphazard ways in the kitchen that turned into amazing meals. She would come to a screeching halt to capture the perfect flower or moment in life on her 35mm camera. She would plant amazing gardens full of classic flowers, and she could eat a box of chocolates faster than you can say chocolate.
Those who knew Mary, knew that her real story was her love. She loved endlessly and unconditionally. She loved her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. She spent as much time with them as she could. She was at the hospital when her grandchildren were born. She loved to paint with them and teach them about her passions. She told them old wives’ tales and taught them about odd moments in history that she learned over the years. Mary loved her family and was dedicated to them. She never met a stranger, and she would talk your ear off with stories of days gone by. Her kindness, endless love, passion for life, adventurous spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Mary is survived by her children Melissa Jolly and her husband Jimmy, Carrie Thomas and her husband Bob, Shannon Ott and her husband Dennis, grandchildren Dessa, Brenden, Calette, Charlie, Madison, Adella, Lilibeth, and Vaughn, great-grandchildren Anthony, Daegan, Jakoby, and Violet, her loving companion Joseph, sisters Sharon and Gail, brothers Ray, Sam, Jimmy, Tim, Tom, and Matthew. She was preceded in death by her son Anthony Karnes, and her parents Edna Barnett and Adell Jolly and brother Robert. There will be a funeral service for Mary on December 11th, at 3:00 pm at Davis Morris Chapel, in Brownwood, TX. Mary will be laid to rest next to her son Anthony at Greenleaf Cemetery following the service.
If desired, the family suggests memorials be made to The American Stroke Association.
