Carolyn Zata (Spears) Mordecai

Carolyn Zata (Spears) Mordecai of Hartshorne, Oklahoma, passed peacefully, surrounded by her beloved family. She leaves behind a legacy as vibrant and beautiful as the nature she loved so dearly.

Born on September 13, 1939, to Nelly Juanita Spears and Norris Daniel Spears. Carolyn walked through life with a profound reverence for life, a heart full of music, and an unconditional devotion to her family.

Her life’s greatest love story began simply, at a local movie theater, when she met a young man named Earnest “Gene” Mordecai throwing popcorn at her. They left holding hands. Beginning their life long journey as Husband and Wife. They were married New Year’s Eve in 1962, Together, they built a life and a family filled with love, laughter, music, and countless memories.

Carolyn was blessed with many children; Marlene and David Wright, Dewayne Moody, Eugene Mordecai and wife Teresa, Justine Mordecai, and Sommer Wright and husband Donald, along with her grandchildren, Ashton Murdaugh, Tiara Thompson, Katelyn Mordecai, Miranda Rodriguez, Kendzie Mordecai , Zaina Mordecai, Hayden Mordecai, Micah Wright, Mason Wright and many great grandchildren; Justice, Liv, Finley, Benny, Scarlett, Azreal, Legend, Kreed, Dillyn, Madelyn, Journee, Ember, Zayla, Braylon, Emmy, Millie, Riv, Wynter, Rylee, Sienna, Cash, Kaci, and Kenon, who brought her immense joy. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; brothers, Dale Spears, Ronnie Spears, and Billy Earl Spears; and a sister, June Dollins.

Carolyn possessed a rare and deep connection to the natural world. She had a secret language with nature and an encyclopedic knowledge of birds. She could name them all, recall their nesting habits, and recognize their unique patterns. She held a special affection for purple martins and hummingbirds. Her respect for nature was a guiding force throughout her life.

Her world was always filled with beautiful flowers and towering trees, creating a peaceful place for her family and all who visited her.

Coming from a family of musicians, Carolyn carried a lifelong love of music. She deeply loved the strings and cherished the moments spent singing, playing instruments, and sharing music with the people she loved.

Carolyn’s true passion was her family. Her home was a sanctuary and a second home to them all. As a grandmother, she was legendary for her grace and indulgence, famously letting her grandchildren do absolutely anything. Her house was a favorite gathering place, filled with laughter and the joyful sounds of her grandchildren together.

Carolyn’s faith was quiet, personal, and deeply rooted. While you may not have found her always sitting in a church pew, her heart was full of Jesus and an unwavering faith that guided how she treated every living creature.

She leaves behind a family who will forever miss her warmth, her stories, and her never ending love. Her memory will live on in the quiet moments- every time a hummingbird lands on a flower and the songs of purple martins in the spring sky.

Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29th at the Elmwood Cemetery Pavilion in Hartshorne with Brother Jerry Jiles officiating. Burial will follow. Active pallbearers will by Hayden Mordecai, Clint Spears, Ryan Spears, Donald Wright, Jim Brown and Sean Mass. Honorary pallbearers will be George Thompson, Kenny McCarroll, David Spears, and H.L. Dollins.