Carolyn Jean Driskell (Jeanie)

Carolyn Jean Driskell (Jeanie) was born November 5, 1948, in Crockett, Texas to J. E. and Mary Seale. Jeanie graduated from Crockett High School in 1967, and then attended Massey Business School in Lufkin, Texas. In March 1968, she married Thomas L Driskell (Tommy) and then spent most of the rest of her life in Crockett.

In May 1974 Jeanie and Tommy moved to the old colonial home at 902 East Houston Avenue in Crockett where Jeanie spent the next 52 years restoring and decorating their home with antiques, oriental rugs, and beautiful pictures and ornaments. For over 30 years Jeanie was a gracious hostess opening their home each year to a family centered Christmas party for family and friends of all ages and provided gifts of treasured Christmas portraits of each family. In addition, Jeanie hosted many dinner parties, church parties, class and family reunions, and receptions at their home.

She tirelessly worked together with Tommy during the years of their marriage in their different business enterprises. Jeanie and Tommy spent 24 hours together almost every day of their marriage for 58 years. Whether working in their business, attending church, shopping at Walmart, or traveling the world, they were almost always together.

 Jeanie and Tommy traveled to over forty countries on six continents. Jeanie stood at the Great Pyramid in Giza, toured Karnak Temple in Luxor, and rode camels in Aswan, Egypt. Jeanie prayed at the Western Wall at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, walked through caverns in Petra, Jordan, and climbed to the top of Mt Siani on the Siani Peninsula. She climbed the steps at Angor Wat Temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, visited the famous Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, and walked through the ruins of the City of Ephesus just north of Kusadasi, Turkey. In 1995, Jeanie, Tommy and their three sons, celebrated New Year’s Eve on Trafalgar Square in London, England. During the 1990s she and Tommy made many trips to New York City to enjoy wonderful Broadway performances.

As strong supporters of the Piney Woods Fine Arts Association, for over 30 years, Jeanie and Tommy sponsored many performances and hosted many receptions for the entertainers at their home. Jeanie served on community and church boards, including serving as President of the historic Downes-Aldrich home for over 25 years. Jeanie attended Presidential Inaugurations and had the privilege of meeting the President of the United States.

Jeanie gave her life to Christ when she was nine years old and was baptized in Brannen Lake at Pennington, Texas. Jeanie was a strong and faithful member of the First Christian Church in Crockett, the same church where she and Tommy were married. Gracious, friendly, giving, intelligent, wise, faithful, helpful, kind, good are just a few of the adjectives of Jeanie’s warm personality. 

A friend once described Jeanie as the “nicest person” she has ever met. Jeanie loved everyone and everyone loved Carolyn Jean (Jeanie) Driskell. Jeanie will certainly be missed. A wonderful life well lived. “Well done good and faithful servant”.

Jeanie is survived by her husband, Thomas L Driskell (Tommy); sons, Thomas L Driskell Jr. and wife, Christine of Prosper, Texas, James Jonathan Driskell (Jim) of Crockett, Texas, William Jasper Driskell (Will) and wife, Ashley of Prosper, Texas; grandchildren, Jack Driskell, Maegan Driskell, Josh Driskell, Chayse Driskell, Jude Driskell, Allison Driskell, Mary Driskell and Luke Driskell; brother, Billy Wayne Seale and wife, Sally of Lufkin , Texas; brother-in law, John Driskell and wife, Karla of Houston, Texas; and sister-in law, Linda Driskell Butler of Dickinson, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by father, J.E. Seale; mother, Mary Powell Seale; infant grandson, Jasper Wyatt Driskell; brother, James Seale; sister-in- law, Beverly Seale; infant brother, Gary Seale; father-in-law, Jasper Driskell; mother-in-law, Verna Driskell.

The Last Dance – Tommy Driskell

I’ll always remember that magic moment

I looked in your eyes and I knew

We would dance through our lifetime,

and we’d have a grand time

and I would be loving you.

We’ve danced through some good times,

we’ve danced through some hard times

But sad time and tears have been few

And when our dance is ending, your hand I’ll be holding

and I’ll still be loving you.

Tommy was holding Jeanie’s hand when she took her last breath.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2025 at the Ritz Theater.  Visitation will be at the Driskell residence, 902 East Houston Avenue, on Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Interment will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations are asked to be made to the Downes-Aldrich House, HCAC P.O. Box 877 Crockett, Texas 75835.