Carolyn Jo Wilburn

Carolyn Jo Brown Wilburn passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on February 23, 2025.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery in Canadian. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian. 

Carolyn Jo was a resident of The Woodlands, Texas where she moved in 2022. Her husband of 57 years, Bob Wilburn, passed away from COVID in December 2020. Bob and Jo resided in Abilene, Texas for 17 years. 

Jo was born on September 10, 1942, to Charles E. and Ailsa Brown in Amarillo, Texas. When she was two years old, the family moved from Dumas, Texas to Canadian, Texas. She was a 1960 graduate of Canadian High School. 

Jo married Bob in 1963. Their son, Lynn Charles, was born in 1965 and passed away in 1973. They welcomed daughters, Julie Kris, in 1967, and Jenny Lee, in 1974. Jo moved frequently over the next 50 years while Bob worked in oil and gas and real estate. She lived in Woodward, Oklahoma; Liberal, Kansas; and throughout Texas in Pampa, Brownfield, Houston, Levelland, Canadian, Abilene, and The Woodlands. 

She lived a life of selfless service to all those around her - all while quietly overcoming adversities. She cherished teaching the little ones in Bible classes at church. Jo enjoyed serving on the Hemphill County Library Board and being a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Sisterhood in Canadian, and delivering Meals on Wheels in Abilene.

Jo’s favorite memories, and biggest blessings, were found in spending time with her grandchildren. Jo was an incredible “Nana” to her beloved two “Girls,” Alex and Sara, and her two “Boys,” Kade and Konner. Jo never missed a birthday, game, performance, recital, or school program. 

Jo is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Alan Wright of The Woodlands, Texas and her daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Kerry Frazier of Tuscola, Texas; granddaughters, Alex Abston and Sara Abston of Houston, Texas; and grandsons, Kade Frazier of Abilene, Texas and Konner Frazier of Huntsville, Texas. She is also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Kay Brown, sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Ron Lyons of Canadian, Texas; and sister-in-law, Gail Wilburn of Malibu, California. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob (2020), and son, Lynn (1973).

Jo's family would like to thank the many friends that kept in touch through the years. We are eternally grateful to the friends that were with her each day, for their fun and devotion. 

Jo and Bob had a special place in their heart for High Plains Children's Home in Amarillo, Texas. While absolutely not expected, those wanting to remember her may reference her at: High Plains Children’s Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, Texas 79114, https://www.hpch.org/.