Carolyn Jean Sells

Carolyn Jean Sells, 70, passed away September 1, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. She was born on December 10, 1953, in Terry County, Texas, to Ervin Warren and Opal Mearl Dollar. She was married to Rejino “Reno” Rodriquez. 

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Ervin Warren and Opal Mearl Dollar, sisters: Rebecca Bradley, Grace Marie Sells, Kathy Hatcher, and Rita Harris, and brothers: Donald Mason and Geril Mason. 

She is survived by daughter Cheryl (Jacob) Volz and their children, Brittany (Alejandro) Sosa with their children Isabella and Anais Sosa, Amber Volz, and Kody Volz, and another daughter, Sherri (Erick) Degler, Brandon (Alejandra) Sells and their children, Jade, Jayleen, and Leonel; Angel (Bobby) Tefertiller; and Ashley Salcido and her children Bella, Zachary, Santos, and Royal Gonzales; IJ Salcido; and Kiesha, Liam, Sean, and Cody Degler. Carolyn also had two sons, Tommy Dale Sells, Jr. and his children, Tommy Dale, “TJ” Sells, III., Ashlond, Aylera, and Jason, and another son, Jason Don Sells with his son Rikki Lee (Alize) Bogue and their daughters Zaila and Elliana, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to mention. 

Carolyn attended Pampa High School and worked for many years at The Big Texan and the Residence Inn before retiring. She lived a quiet retirement. She loved to travel, read, and watch soap operas—mainly “Days of Our Lives.” She also loved her dogs and loved to talk and tell stories, mostly to her family. One family tradition she started was to talk to each family member every year on his/her birthday and tell them a birthday story. The story might change some each year if she remembered something new to add. Her home was always open to her family, and she pushed and encouraged her grandchildren to succeed. Her grandchildren lovingly called her “Nanny” and she will be dearly missed.