Carolyn Mabel Britten-Dalton

Carolyn Mabel (Jenner) Britten was born August 5, 1936, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Lloyd Lyndon Jenner and Helma Alma (Meme) Ferguson of Oklahoma City, OK and was the second of seven children born to Meme.  After 87 years of service to Our Lord, her physical body died in Abilene, Texas, and she joyously went Home November 6, 2023.

Visitation will be held at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 601 S. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX at 12:00 PM, Sunday, November 26, 2023.  This will be followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM.  A brief Committal Service will be held at DFW National Cemetery at 10:00 AM, Monday, November 27^th, 2023, where her body will be laid to rest with her lifelong husband, Col. Samuel L. Britten (USA-RET).

With the exception for some summers visiting her dad and grandparents in Durant, Oklahoma with her sister Charlotte, Carolyn was an Oklahoma City girl.  After graduating from Capitol Hill High School (Oklahoma City) in 1955, she began her college education at Oklahoma University but completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Mary Washington College, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

As a young girl, she and Charlotte, walked with their grandmother Helma Aurelia “Boom-Boom” Boas to services at the First Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City where they were members.  Carolyn had a lovely soprano voice, and they sang in the children’s choir.  After meeting Sam, Carolyn became a faithful member of the church of Christ, leading Women’s Bible Studies, teaching children’s Sunday School, and teaching classes for teenage girls.

As she was finishing high school, she met her future husband Sam on a blind date.  He was a poor farm boy from Venita, Oklahoma, who was in ROTC at Oklahoma University in Norman, while working on the first of several degrees in engineering.  He wound up teaching her algebra class at OU, and made sure she put in the extra hard work so there wouldn’t be any appearance of favoritism.  She earned an “A” – but she really did have to work hard to earn it.  They were married July 2, 1955 at the First Lutheran Church in downtown Oklahoma City.

After a brief time working for Standard Oil in Chicago, Sam was Commissioned into the United States Army and Carolyn quickly learned to love travel, spending the remainder of her life moving around the country and the world as an Army Wife for over 30 years.  She was his help-mate and soulmate for 52 years, as together they made their home in Norman, OK; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; Fort Hood, TX; Muenchweillor, Germany; Champlain, IL; Fort Belvoir, VA; Fort Sill, OK; Abilene, TX; Fort Bliss, TX; Fort Leavenworth, KS; Honolulu, HA; Huntington, WV; Vicenza, Italy; Mesquite, TX; Gainesville, TX; Battle Creek, MI; Midland, TX; Honolulu, HA; Allen, TX; and McKinney, TX.  But her travels extended to every nook and cranny of Europe, Israel, Greece, and many other places.  No matter where they lived, the Britten’s were known for their hospitality.  Rank and social class made no difference in their home.  Many a GI, widow, single person, and couple enjoyed gathering around a table filled with homemade Belgian waffles and warm fellowship.

Carolyn enjoyed a long, full, rich life of love.  She was an elementary school teacher for a number of years and taught as a substitute when she could.  She worked with SCB Radio and TV, Southern European Broadcasting in Italy.  She was licensed as a social worker in the State of Texas, and applied those skills while in Midland, TX.  She was an excellent cook, a wonderful mother, and she loved caring for her family and others.  She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Member of Officers Wives Club and the Protestant Women of the Chapel, and many other organizations.

Her beloved husband Sam died on October 4, 2009, and after two years she found a new companion and married Jerry Dalton.  They lived in Dallas, Texas until his death eight years later.  Soon thereafter, she moved back to Abilene, TX in January 2021 where she lived near her son until her death.

She was predeceased by her parents, Lloyd Lyndon Jenner and Helma Alma (Meme) Ferguson Jenner/Reynolds/Faris of Oklahoma City, OK, and her beloved husband of 54 years, Col. Samuel Lee Britten (USA).  Also predeceasing her were siblings Charlotte Allene (Jenner) Vaught and husband Thomas of San Antonio, TX; Geat Rex Faris of Meadows of Dan, VA and wife, Hazel (living); Tom Franklin Faris of Oklahoma City, OK and wife Becky (living); and Pamela (Reynolds) Geionety Tienter of Medicine Park, OK.  Additionally, she is predeceased by her second husband and companion of eight years, BG Harry Jirou “Jerry” Dalton, Jr. (USAF).

She is survived by all her direct descendants; her son, Samuel Lynn Britten and wife Victoria “Vicki” of Abilene, Texas, along with their son Samuel Austin Britten; and her daughter, Nancy Kay (Britten) Brobston and husband Mike of Allen, Texas, along with their children Daniel James Brobston, Gregory Dean Brobston, Christina Grace (Brobston) Osorio and husband Robert, and Sean Michael Brobston.

She is also survived by her sister Cynthia Ann Faris of Pilot Point, Texas, brother Roger Alva Reynolds and wife Mimi of Oklahoma City, and a very large extended family of nephews, nieces and their families, as well as her dear and countless friends all over the world – most notably Jan Bolton and Marinell Evans.  A special thanks to Jessie Connor, who lovingly cared for Carolyn by caring for her husband Sam through his last years.  We’d also like to extend our appreciation to Home Instead and Hendrick Hospice for their quick response and assistance when they were so desperately needed.

Throughout their lives, she and her husband Sam generously supported missionaries, orphanages, and others in need around the world, so it is fitting to suggest a charitable donation which can blossom in her memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:

Arms of Hope - Medina Children’s Home

21300 State Hwy 16 North

Medina, TX 78055

Online donations may be made at: armsofhope.org