No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service…those are the instructions left to the family of Carolyn Ann Warnecke. She was a spitfire blonde who wanted things done her way… and usually got what she wanted.

However, she was enjoyed and beloved by a multitude of family and friends and it would be a dis-service to those who knew and loved her to leave it at that.

Carol, we’ve done what you wanted; now the rest is for us… Carolyn Ann Warnecke, passed on to Heaven Tuesday, September 10, 2019. She was born November 17, 1945 to Betty and Robert Wolfe in Ponca City, Okla. Except for brief periods of time living in other states as a child with her family and a short stint in Bartlesville after she married George Warnecke, she called Ponca City home her entire life. In 1974 she and George were blessed with a son, John. John was the light of her life. She referred to him as the happiest baby anybody could ask for, saying “all that kid needed was his belly fed and a dry diaper.”

She was a great Mom. She taught John hard work and independence.

Carol was one of the most familiar faces in Ponca City for nearly 30 years as “The Car Hop” at Dixie Dog. She started working for the original owners, Major and Monya Kornblit; kept working after they sold it, and even after the new building was built.

That’s a lot of years as a Car Hop. She LOVED every day.

She worked carhop until her health became less stable and then moved inside to the soda fountain. She was a phenomenal car hop. She could see one of her “regulars” at the stop light and hold up one or two fingers (meaning your usual 1st or 2nd option) and they would flash back a 1 or 2 and she had their order made before they were in the lot. If you ordered a Dixie Burger, she asked “the Educated, or the original Dixie?” Which meant “do you want mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato (educated) or mustard, pickle, onion (Dixie)?” She made a point to get personal with her customers. She knew and remembered their families and special events.

Carol was a lady of many, many talents. She had a bumper sticker “I brake for craft shows” and she meant it. She loved crafting of any kind. She taught herself crocheting, sewing, scrap booking, ceramics, folk art painting, needle craft, embroidery, and if you knew her, you probably had been given a hand-made doily at some time. She made special gifts for her family and friends, several of her co-workers and even her customers. She never met a stranger, never forgot a face, never forgot a birthday, and usually remembered anniversaries. Carol also loved correspondence. Every evening after supper was cleaned up and George was off to bed, she was either working on cards, writing letters, or typing letters. She wore out multiple manual typewriters, but politely turned down an electric typewriter, and absolutely refused a computer. She handmade cards, hand stenciled envelopes, and sometimes even made the envelopes themselves. She considered the extended family of all hers and George’s extended families, her Family and kept up with them all. As she aged her writing became more shaky and her letters became further apart.

Carol was an Elvis fanatic. Family, friends and customers loved to surprise her with Elvis memorabilia. She had every Elvis movie and record ever released along with purses, postage stamps, and even a life size cutout. She was once surprised by her sister and brother-in-law with a trip to Graceland.

Carol had a tender spot in her heart for animals. Over the years, nearly any critter John took a fancy to was sure to find a spot at her home. She hosted a hodgepodge of pets including ducks, roosters, tarantulas, hamsters, rats, snakes, an especially spirited male Cockatiel named Sara, a particularly oversized cat named Fat Cat who not only never turned down a fight but instigated several himself, and of course her favorite Chihuahua pups who were Poncho, Chico, and Lil’ Missy. Each and everyone living a pampered life to a ripe old age thanks to her big heart.

Carol and George were avid CB radioers. They belonged to REACT which was a CB radio emergency monitoring organization. George’s handle was “Tin Can”, Carol was “Little Tin Can” and their son John was “7 oz.” . The organization served as extra eyes for the community, doing safety checks and helping when help was needed.

Carol lost the love of her life, George, in 1997. She met her boyfriend, Cantrell Wright, a few years later and they remained together until her passing. Carol became “Grandma Carol” in 2002 when Braley Hanna Warnecke, her only grandchild came into this world bright eyed and loving Grandma’s kisses. Christmas Eve was their biggest holiday to spend together complete with special early Santa presents and carol’s favorite home made chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes and beer bread. Her son, John, daughter (in law), Darleanna, and her grand daughter Braley Hanna, will forever miss her.

Cremation has been effected under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. Family reunions and gatherings were the highlights to Carol’s early years. In that spirit, her family will be hosting a Memorial Celebration of her Life at 6 pm Saturday, Sept. 14 at the First Free Will Baptist Church of Ponca City with the Rev. Adam Phillips officiating. Private interment will take place at a later date in Longwood Cemetery. Cards, photos, letters, and written memories by those who were blessed to know her are welcomed and may be shared.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, Okla. 74601-1923. They have amazing care and treated Carol wonderfully in her final years. Carol loved to wear Angel pins on her shirts, now she is the Angel on our shoulders. paid obituary