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1945
2019
Music was her gift to the world.
Carol Ann Cockrell Gulley passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4, 2019, surrounded by family and friends.
Musician, composer, performer, teacher, Carol's music infused her love of everything and everyone; and it merged seamlessly with her passion for language, literature, dance, visual arts, and theatre. Every moment with her was one of melody, of sensitivity, of compassion.
And she shared it all, inspiring family, friends, and the thousands of students she taught throughout her life.
Born on January 25, 1945, Carol was a versatile and natural musician from early childhood, playing piano, accordion, and guitar. She embraced and loved all music: classical, pop, musical theatre, jazz, blues, country – and she was always learning more. Her need and enthusiasm for learning overflowed into many other areas of interest, as well: politics, physics, philosophy, history, travel. She was a gifted theatre director and writer, too: playwright and poet, she studied with Paul Baker at Trinity University and with Pulitzer Prize winning poet Henry Taylor at American University in Washington, D.C. In everything Carol did, her sharp wit, gentle nature and sense of fair play prevailed.
Carol was also a wife, to Robert, and a mother, to Annalee. While music was her gift to the world, her unconditional love was her gift to her family. First meeting in seventh grade, Carol and Robert spent 61 years devoted to one another; and would have celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on December 2, 2019. Together, they had Annalee, who was perhaps the true love of her life.
She was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, and of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.
Carol is survived by her husband, Robert Lee Gulley of San Antonio; daughter Annalee Gulley of Houston, and sister Cathy Cockrell Newton and husband John of Boerne, Texas. She was predeceased by her parents Sid and Lila Cockrell.
Music was Carol's gift to the world. She remains a steadfast gift to us all.
Services will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Laurel Heights Methodist Church. A public graveside service will follow immediately at Mission Burial Park North.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to The Winston Academy of San Antonio.
"We are the music makers and the dreamers of dreams." (Arthur O'Shaughnessy)To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge.
When I was in high school, Carol Gulley was one of the kindest and most encouraging mentors I had, as a young drama nerd. I remember she radiated such warmth, and an unconditional compassion for those around her, and helped choreograph the performance for Wings, an acting group for actors with disabilities. I would have loved to reconnect with her, and am so very sad to hear she has passed on. What an extraordinary lady! I love the photos of her you all shared-- they really capture her remarkable energy.
Miranda Smith
School
April 18, 2023
Carol and I were friends at Southwestern, and being shy and feeling a little isolated, I wouldn't have initiated the friendship. Carol did, and for that I will always be grateful. Thank you, Carol, and God bless you.
Ken Peters
Classmate
May 3, 2020
Carol was indeed the kindest most loving person I've ever met. She greeted everyone with her beautiful smile and open arms. My son Sam was in her drama class. During some dark times he went to school to see Mrs. Gulley when nothing else mattered. She breathed life and happiness into him as no one else could. Carol truly believed that all of her students were gifted and in knowing her, they all grew to believe in themselves. Carol, thank you for showing us all how to love and live better. Elizabeth
elizabeth nelson
October 13, 2019
Robert, I am so sorry to learn about the loss of your childhood sweetheart, wife and mother of Annalee. My thoughts are with you and your daughter and I pray for peace and strength for both of you.
Gwen Walsh
October 10, 2019
I posted this on Facebook... A little more than 20 years ago I started working at BAPA. I met this woman, Carol Gulley... one of the warmest, gentle souls I have ever encountered. She made music in a way that seemed so foreign to me - not on paper but with your soul. She asked me once to shadow her at the original Imagination Stage in White Flint where she was live accompanying a show. I remember being in awe at how she just accompanied the show with no music, just feeling what was happening on stage and creating art. We spent about 5 or 6 years creating music together at BAPA and she taught me so many things about music that you can never learn in school. I like to think that part of who I am as a musician is because of her. If there was ever a person I've known who has become an angel it's Carol... I would say Rest in Peace, my friend, but you have a lot of music to make up there.
Keith Tittermary
October 9, 2019
Mrs. Gulley was the type of teacher that always had a smile on her face and a kind word to say. She inspired, encouraged and gave generously of herself and her talent, not only to her students but their families as well. We have grown from what we have learned from her and she will always be remembered in our hearts.
Marya Swindell
October 9, 2019
To the Cockrell-Gulley family...my most sincere condolences to you...May God grant you peace and understanding during this trying time.
kathleen lavonne
October 9, 2019
Carol I enjoyed your friendly, charming way. You and Annalee will be remembered when you visited with me at the San Antonio Parks Foundation and Japanese Tea Garden.
Heartfelt sympathy to your family,
Bonnie Conner
October 9, 2019
Carol Gulley, you will be missed. I had the privilege of working with Carol at The Winston School San Antonio. She was not only encouraging and uplifting to her students but also to her coworkers as well. I loved her sweet spirit and smile. May the Lord give peace and comfort to her family and all who knew and loved her.
Tina Hall King
October 8, 2019
Sending loving thoughts and heartfelt sympathy to Annalee, Robert, and the entire Gulley/Newton/Cockrell family.
Catherine Nixon Cooke
Catherine Cooke
October 8, 2019
Pam Dalton
October 8, 2019
Pam Dalton
October 8, 2019
Pam Dalton
October 8, 2019
Mrs. Gulley was the sweetest, gentlest soul I've ever met. I am so grateful to have had her as a teacher and to have interacted with her on a daily basis at Winston. She truly loved all her students and brightened everyone's day. To her family, I am so, so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing her with all of us.
Ariel Merin
October 8, 2019
Carol Gulley had a way of making everyone feel loved and special. She bloomed positivity and could find the good in everything. I always looked forward to seeing her. I knew I'd be greeted with a hug, told how much I was loved and how much she loved my children. She was my daughter Maddie's favorite role model. Maddie told me, she hopes to be as kind and loving as Mrs. Gulley. She really was an incredible woman that will always be remembered in the hearts of her student. I love and will miss her deeply.
Kara Briggs
October 8, 2019
Mrs. Gulley was my teacher and she was a very important part of my life. She was always kind and patient and always encouraged me to do my best . We were in touch just two months ago and I cant believe that she is gone. Her positivity and encouragement never failed. She was always smiling, and that is how I will remember her.
Sara tobon
Student
October 7, 2019
Her kind words, gentle nature, and sweet smile will be missed by us all. She was an angel on Earth. Her students adored her and she them. They lit up around her.
I once had the opportunity to watch her teach and I told her it was so amazing to see how the children opened up and felt so safe in her room. She responded with this- children know when someone loves them
Pam Dalton
October 7, 2019
Carol was my 7th, 8th and 9th grade drama/arts teacher at Longfellow Jr High back in the early 70's. She was the nicest and most caring teacher I can remember. Always there to listen to you and give you advice on life, growing up as a early teenager, and she was more like a friend or a big sister than a teacher. I really enjoyed her classes and I'm sure I wasn't the only one that did. RIP Mrs. Adams.
David McCord
October 7, 2019
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