Carolyn Marie Trent was born on July 18, 1946 and died on January 14, 2026 being 79 years of age.
Carolyn was born in Modesto to Glen and Hazel Trent of Empire. Glen commented that it was particularly hot day when Carolyn was born. Glen had taken Marilyn and Maurice to Florence’s home to play with cousins Arlene and Pauline. When he went back to pick them up and tell them they had a sister, Florence had called the hospital to find out and already had told them. Glen said that the was upset that he was not the one to tell the children of their new sister. Marilyn and Maurice had been fighting over whether they would be getting a new brother or sister. Carolyn attended Empire Elementary and Downey High School graduating in 1964. George Lucas, was in one of Carolyn’s classes. He was two hears ahead of her.
Carolyn was deeply rooted in the community where she was raised and formed lasting friendship grounded in faith, family, and shared interests.
Carolyn was a faithful and active member of the Empire Church of the Brethren, where she found great joy in worship, fellowship, and service to others. She would help with Sunday Coffee Hour, sing in the choir, help in the kitchen, and work the yard sales.
At the age of nine she was in her sister Marilyn’s wedding.
Her faith guided her life and was evident in her kindness, humility, and unwavering trust in the Lord.
She well be remembered for her gentle spirit, warm heart, and dedication to prayer and community.
She will also be remembered for her many meals here at the church where the main course was chicken from Riley’s.
Outside of church and family, Carolyn found great joy in her hobbies and passions.
She had a deep love for gardening, especially cultivating roses, which she tended with patience and care.
A special event in Carolyn’s life was a road trip in 1956. It was with her parents and aunt and uncle in the family Chevy to visit family. They traveled to East Texas, Alabama where her sister Marilyn lived, Then onto Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho.
Carolyn’s first job was at Zaiger’s Nursery on Clause Road in Modesto. I remember going there and her waiting on me. After her time at the Nursery Carolyn began working in the guinea pig family business in 1974 and sing that until about 1994.
She was also devoted to the art of rock lapidary and was a proud member of the Mother Lode Mineral Society since 1970. She Participated in the annual Rock and Gem show at the Turlock fairgrounds until about 2023.
Carolyn was enrolled in gem classes at MJC where she would learn new styles or jewelry to make. She would travel with the group on bus trips to the San Francisco Giants base ball games.
She often described it as “a hobby for the young and the young at heart.”
Many of us here at the church have her jewelry as keep sakes of her work.
My first memory of Carolyn is at Camp Peaceful Pines. We were born just a few months apart so we were in the same camp age group.
We had many years of camping together.
Carolyn enjoyed a trip from time to time to Black Oak Casino. Her niece and nephews remember times of games, jigsaw puzzles, TV and stove popped popcorn, baking. She got her baking skills from her mother. Some favorites were apple pie, popcorn balls and peanut brittle.
Carolyn also had a special affection for cats, which brought her companionship and comfort throughout her life.
Family was of great importance to Carolyn.
She treasured time spent with loved ones and held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews, as well as their children.
Carolyn liked to get places when she wanted to and did so in her many vehicles during her life. Her first car was a 1959 Chevy Impala, then she had a Nova, a Chevy Citation, a Dodge Van, a Pontiac Van, and a Chevy Trax.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Hazel Trent, and her brother, Maurice “Frog” Trent.
She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Snider; her nephews and niece, Ross “Roscoe” Trent (Kathy), Julie Sousa (Gary), Dave Best, Chuck Best, and Mike Best; sever great-nieces and great-nephews; and four great-great-nephews, along with extended family members and dear friends.
Following this funeral service there will be a committal service at Lakewood Funeral Home with a lunch following here at the church. Carolyn’s life was a testament to faith, love, and service. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all of us who knew her.
