Carolyn Kay Nighswonger, 73, of Bandera, Texas, (formerly Alva, Oklahoma) passed away on August 29, 2018, in San Antonio. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Smith C. and Ruby May Wright on August 28, 1945. Carolyn married Clyde V. Nighswonger on November 14, 1998, in Alva.

Carolyn graduated from Bandera High School and went on to earn her bachelors in education at Angelo State Baptist in San Angelo, Texas. Carolyn was the granddaughter of County Judge Granville Wright and a fourth-generation Bandera resident. She dedicated many years to teaching elementary students with Bandera Independent School District and the Medina Independent School District.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Smith Eugene Wright.

She is survived by her husband, Clyde, of 19 years; daughters Kelly Ellis and husband, Dean, and Paula Swinney and husband, Tim, all of Bandera; son Luke Maier and wife, Sara, of Cuero, Texas; stepdaughters Clydene Lyons of Enid, Rhonda Nighswonger of Alva and Vicki Nighswonger of Duncan; sisters Gail Miller and husband, Greg, of Iowa Park, Texas, and Linda Leach and husband, Herald, of New Albany, Indiana; grandchildren Ryan, Cooper and Wyatt Ellis, Rebecca Maier, Cody and Caleb Swinney, Emily and Ethan Lyons, Aaron Nighswonger, and Olivia and Alec Elliott; and great-grandchildren Trenton and Brooklynn Ellis.

A memorial service was held Monday, September 3, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Bandera with Pastor Dick Sisk officiating.