Carol grew up in Capitol Hill and attended Capitol Hill High School, graduating in 1953. She attended Oklahoma Baptist University and worked her way through college, graduating with honors with a degree in business in 1957.

She pledged the sorority of Beta Beta Epsilon. Carol worked as an executive assistant for the Oklahoma Baptist Association for 10 years after graduation.

Family was always at the center of Carol’s life. Carol met her husband Don at Western Hills Baptist Church and they were married in 1967. It was decided by both of them that she would be a “stay at home Mom.” Together, Don and Carol raised Norita and Donita and were devoted parents and grandparents, always providing love, support, and guidance.

Carol leaves behind a legacy of value, remembered by her frugal nature. Having been raised by Depression Era parents, Carol knew how to squeeze every penny out of every dollar. She would scan the paper for sales and coupons and her shopping escapades took her all over town. She set aside the money she saved on coupons to buy the girls’ school clothes and other items they needed for their activities.

She could have taught Dave Ramsey a thing or two. This frugal nature was certainly passed on to her daughters.

Carol was the matriarch of the family, accepting the families of her daughters’ husbands with love and open arms. She insisted on family events, celebrating birthdays and holidays, where she would work tirelessly in the kitchen making your favorite dessert for your birthday, and making all of the traditional items for the holidays. During the family events, she rarely sat down ensuring that every glass remained full and everyone had enough to eat.

When she wasn’t in the kitchen, she loved working crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, and canning the fruits of their gardening efforts. Carol enjoyed her pie and sweets, often having pie and coffee for breakfast. She enjoyed shopping with her daughters and topping it off with eating Mexican food. She was 100% involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and attended every event that she could.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard Estes and Frances Estes.

Carol is survived by: her loving and devoted husband of 58 years, Don Cleveland of Bridge Creek; her two daughters, Norita Dukes and her husband, Matt, of Midwest City and Donita Tripp and her husband, Rob, of Bridge Creek; four grandchildren, Nathan Dukes and his wife, Nikki, of Midwest City, Chris Dukes of Japan, Casey Tripp of Texas, and Courtney Torres and her husband, Brandon, of Lithuania; two great grandchildren, Parker and Logan; her brother, Raymond Estes and his wife, Deanna, of Arkansas; three nephews, one niece and their families; and many other loved ones and friends.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Eisenhour Funeral Home Chapel in Blanchard. Burial followed in the Blanchard Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh. com.

We will miss Carol dearly, but her spirit will live on in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Carol.