Carol Groppe

Carol Groppe, age 90, of Houston, passed away early Saturday morning, July 20, 2019 at her residence while surrounded by her family. Private Graveside Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2019 at Closner Cemetery in West, with Pastor Kris Cervantes officiating. Carol was born August 21, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Freda Myers Tarrant and Robert Claire Tarrant. On June 3, 1961 she was united in marriage to Henry Groppe in Houston. Carol was a member of Emerson Unitarian Church and fully lived the tenets of her faith, the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; the acceptance of one another and the encouragement to spiritual growth; and free and responsible search for truth and meaning. She was a lifelong leader and advocate, committed to social justice reform. Carol served as a member of the United Nations Association and served as a Board Member, on the Executive Committee and as President for 12 years; with the Houston Area United Nations, serving as Chair of the Board of Governors; with the United Nations Association (UNA), serving as the Chairperson and International Women's Year Program for Harris County; UNA Chairperson for International Women's Year Women in Science Exhibit for the Houston Museum of Natural Science; and Co-Chair of the Institute of International Education World Affairs Discussion Group. She was a Recipient of the IIE Award for International Hospitality Committee of Houston. Carol was honored to receive a proclamation from Mayor Robert Lanier proclaiming May 5, 1993 at Carol Groppe Day for the City of Houston honoring her significant contributions to the Houston Area Women's Center, for providing leadership and direction in the education of the community regarding domestic violence and sexual assault, In her honor, an annual award is presented to the volunteer who provides exceptional leadership to the organization, known as the Carol Groppe Leadership Award. She was the co-founder of the River Oaks Bookstore and the River Oaks Women's Breakfast Club. Carol was a board member of the Houston YWCA, the Hester House, the Contemporary Art Museum of Houston, the St. Francis Day School and the Urban Harvest Community Gardens. Carol is preceded in death by her mother, Freda Myers Tarrant and a sister, Rosemary Molina. Survivors include her beloved husband of 58 years, Henry Groppe Jr. of Houston; her children, Hollis Crow, Dr. Jay Groppe and wife Kathy (PhDs), Hans Groppe, Laura Spring, Anne Cushing (PhD), and Dr. Leslie Dean; a brother-in-law, Roy Molina; her beloved grandchildren, Robert Crow II, Dr. Alexis Crow (PhD), Caroline Groppe, E. Henry Groppe IV, Violet Spring, Arthur Spring, Mariah Cushing, David Alexander Cushing, Christopher Cushing, Jason Dean and wife Rachel, Rebecca Jones and husband Cameron, and Dr. Mary Dean; a great grandson, Dean Bonham; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.