Carolyn Jean Ray Hancock
December 8, 1939 - March 21, 2026

On March 21, 2026, Carolyn Jean Ray Hancock, 86, passed away at home in Victoria, Texas into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. She was born on December 8, 1939, in Greenville, Texas.
Known as ''Jeanie'' by many, Carolyn Jean is survived by her sister, Judy Ray Craig and husband, Bob Craig, of Houston, TX; son, Jeffrey Hancock and wife, Kimberly, of Mesquite, Texas; daughter, Melanie Hancock Steed, and husband, Robert Steed, of Victoria, Texas; daughter, Angela Hancock Bolen, and husband, Troy Bolen, of Austin, Texas; as well as her friend and ex-husband, Hugh Hancock, of Mesquite, Texas. Carolyn is also survived by nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Guy Ray; her mother, Dorothy Ray; and her eldest son, Guy Hancock.
Carolyn is a 1957 graduate of Greenville High School, where she sang in choir and participated in theatre. Most notably, she was awarded a piano diploma from the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Following high school, she attended Baylor University, married Hugh Hancock, and finished her degree in Education from East Texas State University in 1961. Carolyn taught 5th grade at Bowie Elementary in Greenville for several years prior to staying home with her four children. She moved to Houston in 1982, where she continued to raise her daughters, while working as a bookkeeper. In 2006, Carolyn moved to (daughter) Melanie's to spend her days caring for grandchildren, which brought her much joy.
Throughout life, Carolyn attended Sunday school, church, and enjoyed singing in church choir. As a gifted pianist, she played for multiple occasions, including sessions at 'The Shoulder', an addiction treatment center in Houston. Her extended family loved to gather in her parents' living room to sing hymns and carols as she and her sister, Judy, would play the piano and the organ. Nothing brought Carolyn ''Jeanie'' aka ''MeMe'' more happiness than to be surrounded by her family or her many pets. Her face lit-up at the sight of her grandchildren and her tiny great grandchildren. Animals gravitated to her gentle soul. If she could have bought a farm large enough, she would have adopted every dog and cat from the local shelters.
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Carolyn Jean Ray Hancock on Friday, March 27, at 2:00 pm; Coker-Mathews funeral home, Greenville, Texas. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm. A graveside gathering at Memoryland Memorial Park will follow the celebration of life.

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