Carol Marie (Koechner) Houston

Carol Marie (Koechner) Houston, 74, of Hillsboro entered into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at her home.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Judge Bob McGregor and Rev. Rob Rolison officiating.  Burial will immediately follow at Hillcrest Garden of Memory in Hillsboro.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, at the funeral home. Facial masks and social distancing are required.  The funeral service will be live streamed via Marshall & Marshall’s Facebook page.

Carol was born on December 11, 1946, in Boonville, Missouri to Peter Joe and Norine Mary (Elmlinger) Koechner.  She grew up in Tipton, Missouri and graduated from Tipton High School in 1964.  For many years, she worked for Co-Mo Electric Cooperative and for the State of Missouri.  On January 30, 1981, Carol married Sam Houston in Jefferson City, Missouri.

After moving to Texas, Carol ​set her sights on a lifelong dream to pursue higher education. Her dream became reality by earning her Associates ​of Applied Science Degree from Hill College ​followed by two additional degrees from Baylor University: Bachelor of Science​ in Business Administration (1994)​ and a ​Master of Science in Education Psychology (1997). With her degrees in hand, she then completed additional certifications required by the State of Texas in order to become a Licensed Professional Counselor​ and promptly established two local practices, one in Waco and the other in Whitney.  She retired in July 2020.

Carol loved life and enjoyed watching Baylor Lady Bears Basketball and attending Zumba and boot camp fitness classes. She proudly wore the title of “MiMi” and never missed an opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She lived up to her motto “Live A Little” by seeking out new adventures whenever possible. She was a member of Woodrow Baptist Church, Texas Democratic Women, Monday Review Club, and the Heart of Texas Counseling Association.

Preceding her in death were her parents and brother, Larry Koechner.

Survivors include her loving husband, Sam Houston, of Hillsboro; children, Matthew Burger and wife, Jessica, of California, Missouri and Julie Burger-Morris of Waco; grandchildren, Joslynn Burger, Nikkalas Morris, Jayla Morris, Maiya Burger, and Gage Burger; two great-grandchildren, Jase and Hope Ellen; sister-in-law, Verna Koechner; and nephew, Tony Koechner.  Other survivors include Mandy, Mike, Rachel, Brandy, Mallory, Rusty, Taylor, Colton, Anna, Maddox, Caroline, Kameryn, Kyleigh, and Kainen.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Bluebonnet Health Services, Dr. Thomas Harris, Dr. David Gerber, and Dr. Byers and staff for the excellent care that was given to Carol as well as her numerous devoted friends, family and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Woodrow Baptist Church Building Fund, 272 HCR 3131, Hillsboro, TX 76645.

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