Carolyn Hermes

Carolyn Houston Hermes, 83, of Shreveport, passed away on August 18, 2017. She was born in Longview, Texas and grew up in Shreveport. She and her husband, Wayne Joseph Hermes of Shreveport, were married in 1948. She entered the Catholic Church in 1955. Together with her husband, they were active parishioners at several Catholic churches in Shreveport (St. Theresa, Sacred Heart, and St. John's Cathedral) as well as in Monroe (La.), Houston, and Longview. At St. Matthew's in Longview they were daily communicants for more than twenty-five years, devoted supporters of parish adoration, and dedicated to various charitable activities in the parish. As a young wife and mother, Mrs. Hermes devoted her energies to the numerous challenges of establishing a home and raising a large family. Always in charge of family finances, she mastered the art of stretching paychecks to provide for their children's private school education and many activities. Although she herself left high school early, all her sons graduated from Jesuit high schools in Shreveport and Houston, and her daughter from Saint Vincent Academy in Shreveport. All received college educations. Later, she attained her high school equivalency diploma and even began taking college classes. She directed the summer camp for Shreveport's Montessori school (owned by her sister, Lucy) and she taught early childhood classes in the Head Start program and at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Monroe, La. She later worked as a Mary Kay Cosmetics sales lady with her sister, Esther. She was also recognized for years of volunteer service at M. D. Anderson in Houston. In her middle years, she took up various pursuits like dancing, painting, and family genealogy. She documented several generations of family lines for both the Hermes/Disiere and the Houston/Smith families, maintaining correspondence and occasional visits with relatives across the Southwest, and even in Switzerland. Above all, throughout her life, faith in God and family came first. As a breast cancer survivor of twenty-six years, she relied on both. She took great delight in family gatherings, especially at Christmastime when her children and grandchildren would return home for the annual family gathering. She was energized by the challenge of providing food, lodging, and activities for forty to fifty family members each year. After Wayne's retirement they traveled extensively, often by RV, including a memorable trip to Alaska. They also visited Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, and Switzerland. Especially important to them were the numerous trips around the country to visit their children and grandchildren, and to be part of their many first communions, confirmations, and graduation ceremonies. They moved back to Shreveport from Longview in 2015. Mrs. Hermes was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wayne, her parents, Lonnie Houston and Eunice Smith Houston, and five sisters, Lucy Perkins, Elaine Akins, Esther Beeman, and twins who died as infants. Four half-sisters and two half-brothers also preceded her in death. She is survived by her eight children: Terry Hermes (Lisa) of Birmingham, Alabama; Wayne "Dubba" Hermes, Jr. (Sharon) of Durango, Colorado; Victoria Hermes Willis of Crosby, Texas; Dr. Ronald Hermes of Shreveport; Timothy Hermes (Niki) of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania; Patrick Hermes of Arlington, Virginia; Reverend Richard Hermes, S.J., of Tampa, Florida; Lawrence Hermes (Lara) of Katy, Texas; twenty-one grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by relatives and friends as a devoted wife and mother, whose indomitable spirit, optimistic outlook, and strong faith encouraged those around her. Honoring Mrs. Hermes as pallbearers will be her grandsons Chris Willis, Justin Hermes, Jake Hermes, Dylan Hermes, Jack Hermes, Brendan Hermes, Zach Hermes, and Ryan Hermes. Three grandsons, Colin Hermes, Andrew Hermes, and her oldest grandson, Clinton Hermes (residing in Qatar), will be honorary pallbearers. A visitation will be held Monday, August 21, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Berchmans Cathedral on Tuesday, August 22, at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Forest Park East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Mrs. Hermes to the financial aid program at Jesuit High School, 4701 N. Himes Ave., Tampa, FL 33614.