Carol Bernita (Hargis) Gordon passed away peacefully in her home in Fredericksburg, Texas on October 28, 2026. She was 96 years old. Born in Fort Worth on May 2, 1930 to William Cayce and Beulah Opal (Clark) Hargis, Carol was the only daughter of nine children, with four older and four younger brothers. The family lived in a home built by their father in the West Meadowbrook neighborhood in east Fort Worth/Sagamore Hill area. During these years a neighbor recognized Carol's artistic talent and provided her and one of her brothers art lessons for doing clean up. Later, while attending Polytechnic (Poly) High School, an opportunity to attend Parsons School of Design in New York City on scholarship was facilitated by another mentor teacher. It was here in New York that Carol lived and worked in the fashion industry, winning multiple awards for her designs and graduating with highest honors in her class at Parsons where she was chosen to receive the prestigious Golden Thimble Award for that year. A trip home and a blind date led to her marriage to Bill Gordon in Fort Worth at Meadowbrook Episcopal Church on June 30, 1955.

Carol and Bill built their first home in the Sundown Park community of northwest Fort Worth near the Trinity River and she worked doing drafting for Gulf Oil. Several years later the couple welcomed their first daughter, Kerry Lynn and then Lori Elaine and Lisa Suzanne soon followed. While Carol enjoyed time at home raising her children, she channeled her design and art passions into sewing projects and chalk portrait consignments. Bill's work took them to Wichita Falls in north Texas. Here Carol attended Midwestern University and explored the art of welding sculpture and oil painting. Several years later the family moved to Corpus Christi where Caroljoined the local art league along with enjoying activities at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. She explored drawing and watercolor with local artists, such as Dick Turner, and traveled to Ghost Ranch, Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico to learn from the Southwest artists. When Carol and Bill moved to San Antonio in the 1980's, Carol found joy in playing golf. She and Bill also expanded their travels during this time to include Italy, Egypt, Scotland, China, and parts of Russia. They also explored Israel,

the Greek Isles, Turkey, France, Spain, Morocco, and Portugal enjoying the art history and architecture of various cultures.

Carol and Bill's last trips included a group tour of England with local parishioners and a cruise up the Alaska coast. Carol retired with Bill to Rockport and then Fredericksburg where she continued being active in the art community. They resided in Fredericksburg for over 25 years until her recent passing. Along with her love of design and art, Carol was an avid reader and gardener. Later in life, one of her greatest joys was sitting on her back porch enjoying the beauty of her gardens.

Carol was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 59 years. She is survived by her three daughters; Dr. Kerry McArthur of The Woodlands, Lori Niles and husband Clark of Bulverde and Lisa Gordon of Durango, Colorado. She was blessed with five grandchildren; Laura (John) Rugh of Leander, Amy Cooper of McKinney, Joshua (Amy) Niles of Canyon Lake, Cody (Chika) Niles of Nagoya, Japan and Beth (Stephen) Campbell of Bonn, Germany; and 17 great-grandchildren. Carol will be buried in the Clark/Hargis family plot at Landreth Cemetery in Santo, Texas beside her husband Bill. The family would especially like to thank the Methodist Healthcare/Hill Country Hospice for their compassionate, loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a memorial contribution to Methodist Healthcare/Hill Country Hospice, 808 Reuben Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.