Mary Carolyn Gaston, born March 20, 1936, in Hobbs, New Mexico to Frances Burnelle (Roark) Robertson and Benny Robertson, passed away peacefully in her home on April 5, 2015. Carolyn graduated from Hobbs High School in 1954, and soon thereafter married Kenneth Dale Gaston and started their family. They moved to Perryton, Texas for a short time and then on to Canadian, Texas where they raised their four children. They ran a service station and welding business. After Kenneth died, Carolyn worked at First National Bank and Wilbur Insurance and then became manager and shareholder in Hood Abstract Company. She also earned a broker license and started Gaston Real Estate Company. She was active in Epsilon Sigma Alpha Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, serving in local and state offices. She was a Chamber of Commerce Director, directed the Miss Hemphill County Pageant, taught adult classes in real estate principles and practices, was a charter member of the United Way Board, and served as Secretary-Treasurer of the local Salvation Army Service Unit. After he children began to make life on their own, Carolyn accepted a job in Bryan, Texas as manager of Associated Attorney’s Title Agency, now Aggieland Title Company, where she remained for more than 36 years. She loved her co-workers and considered them family. Carolyn married Dennis Billings in 1983. Eventually all of the children moved to the Bryan area, including Dennis’ son, Shane. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and they spent many happy hours together. She was active in B/CS Homebuilders Association, Realtors Association, B/CS Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership Brazos Alumni Association. She received the “Professional Excellence” award from the Texas Land Title Association in 2011 and was a member of the A&M Church of Christ. Carolyn was preceded in death by her son Steven D. Gaston and her daughter Cheryl Gaston Dickinson; by both husbands Kenneth D. Gaston and Dennis Billings; by her parents; by her grandparents Richard A Roark and Elizabeth Caroline (Riggs) Roark; by her uncle, Rueben Riggs and his wife Cordilia (Aunt Dee); and by sister Martha Huckabee and her husband Jack. Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Gaston Talley and two sons, Douglas Lee Gaston and Shane Lee Billings, and by four grandchildren, Ayvrie Dixon and her husband Josh and their two children Jace and Ashlyn; Brandon Dickinson and wife Heather; Ashlee Talley and her son Edward; and Cody Billngs. She is also survived by a brother, Richard Pilon and wife DeeAnn and their children Elizabeth Murdock and Richard Pilon Jr.; two nieces, Burnelle Huckabee and Kelley Huckabee Norsworthy and one nephew, Keith Huckabee; a step-father, Richard E. Pilon; and many cousins. Services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 18, at Hillier Funeral Home, 2301 East 29th Street in Bryan. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in support of Hospice Brazos Valley (www.hospicebrazosvalley.org).
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