Carrie Savage

Carrie Belle Bludworth Savage arrived in this world on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1922, and passed away on May 29, 2020, at the age of 98. Carrie was always loads of fun and a ball of energy. Devoted to her family, and especially remembered for her unwavering support of son, James, through 34 years of quadriplegia, Carrie had nine children.

The natural auburn hair of her younger years was a giveaway to Carrie's personality. She was a determined woman who epitomized the saying: "dynamite comes in small packages". A tiny woman of maybe 5 feet tall, she was a tomboy, a sailor, a horsewoman, a chef, and a seamstress, sewing any and everything from clothes to rugs to embroidery. An excellent seamstress and dressmaker, she had a lifelong love of fashion. She even used her sewing machine needles to pierce her daughters' ears.

In childhood, Carrie loved sailing with her father, Richard Bludworth, a shipbuilder. They sailed the Texas lakes and the Gulf waters off Rockport and Galveston. Her mother, Lenora Bond Bludworth, was a wonderful cook and gardener. Her daughter followed in her footsteps. Carrie's varied early life encompassed working as an elevator operator, a clothing model, and a legal secretary. Always ready in for an adventure, she and her friend Bea set off for California in the late 40's, but homesick for her family, she returned to Houston with new experiences to share. Once married to William Savage, they moved to Louisiana to start a business when the offshore oil industry was young and opportunity knocked. Carrie was a modern mid-century mom, hosting many dinner parties, managing home, kids, and varied activities from dance lessons to horse care and riding at the stables.

You could always hear Carrie humming some tune as she went about her chores and activities. She was a wonderful dancer and spent many happy moments on the dance floor at a party or dancing with her children to any and all music. Carrie loved learning new skills and immersing herself in the culture of many places. A fan of the Latin countries, she worked hard to become fluent in Spanish. Even in her last weeks, Carrie remembered her Spanish as often as English, sprinkling her conversation with both languages. In addition to her U.S. travels, our mother tangoed in Argentina, drove through Europe, ate tapas in Spain and made several trips to Mexico, the U.K., and even trekked to Medjugorje and China in her quest for spinal cord injury cures or treatments.

Carrie Belle managed to be girlie, wearing perfume every day of her life, while maintaining her feisty, tomboy spirit. Later in life, she managed a ranch, herded cattle and rode horses for work and fun. She even learned to snow ski in her 60's when her older brother challenged her. Never idle, Carrie, in her leisure, knitted, embroidered, gardened and, of course, shopped. Possessed of an amazing green thumb, she grew grapefruit and avocado trees from seeds while resuscitating everyone's dying plants.

Carrie is survived by her daughters: Pauline Robertson, Cheryl Robertson, Susan Thompson (Jim), Nancy Thompson, Elaine Savage, and Jenny Savage; her grandchildren: Kimberly Hillyer, Lauren Miller (Jason), Parker Thompson (Lia), Lily Thompson, H. Platt Thompson III; and great grandchildren: Ariana Laupati, Mahmoud El-Gallad, and Moustafa El-Gallad. She is also survived by her remaining sibling, Loraina Bludworth Childers and numerous Bludworth and Childers nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her children: Roberta Savage, William F. Savage II, James J. Savage, and grandson: John C. Hillyer II.

Carrie B. Savage was one of a kind. She was loving, energetic, determined, Bludworth stubborn, and worked hard to keep up with the times, even at 98. Her strength was an inspiration to multiple generations, underlining her mantra: Never Give Up!