Carolyn Sue Stroup

Carolyn Sue Stroup, 70, of Port Lavaca, TX, passed of a heart attack in her sleep Sunday, 5 October 2025. She was born on 24 April 1955 to Emma and Juan Olivarez in Yoakum, TX and had grown up in Bloomington and Victoria. She graduated from Stroman High School and the Victoria College before advancing to the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a degree in pre law in 1977.

She was a trailblazer for her family as the first woman to attend and complete college. Carol was a determined career woman, having worked first with the Social Security Administration in Victoria, then served the State of Texas as an organizer with the Texas Democratic Party in Austin and as administrative assistant to Texas Comptroller, Bob Bullock. After marrying Mike Stroup in 1985 and raising two sons, Jonathan and Jeff Stroup, she started a new career in 2001 as an educator, teaching English and language arts at HJM Elementary in Port Lavaca for grades 2-5.

She was a steadfast advocate for a generation of students. By the later years of her 24 year career, she had begun teaching the children of some of her earliest students. She enjoyed reading, music of the late 60s, 70s and 80s, classic cinema, westerns, and sci-fi movies, and had a love for politics and debate. Her favorite artists included The Beatles, ABBA, Debbie Harry, Pat Benatar, John Denver, and Dolly Parton.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Mike Stroup, two sons, Jonathan and Jeffrey Stroup, granddaughter, Robin Terry, mother, Emma Olivarez, and brothers John, Jesse, Carlos, Louis, Rick, Kenny, Larry, and their families. She was preceded in death by her father, John Olivarez, and youngest brother, Michael Olivarez.

Per her wishes, a public memorial service is not planned.

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