Sara 'Carol' Caroline Grau

Sara Caroline Grau (“Carol”) passed away at her home on Monday, June 12, 2023.  She is survived by her husband, Charles M. Grau, of Maryville, Tennessee; daughters Laura Palik of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Katy Grau of Wellington, Florida; grandchildren Sarah Testa of Norman, Oklahoma, and Chris Palik of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; sister Marcia Jansen of Denton, Texas; cousins Monroe and Martha Ellen Black of Charleston, Missouri, and Sandy and Bob Lessenberry of Little Rock, Arkansas; plus several other relatives.  Her great-granddaughter will be arriving in November 2023. 

Carol was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 5, 1939 to Robert Thompson Yates and Elizabeth Black Yates.  Carol grew up in Charleston, Missouri, and attended Charleston High School but graduated from an all-girls’ school in St. Louis, Missouri.  She wrote the Teen Tips Column while in school in Charleston.  After graduating, she attended the University of Kentucky where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and a member of the aquatics swim team.  She graduated from Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  After graduation, she taught Physical Education at Charleston High School in the mid-1960’s.  On January 3, 1965, she married Charles M. Grau of Charleston, Missouri.  After Charlie’s end of Active Duty in the Army, they moved to Prairie Village, Kansas in 1966.  While in Kansas City, Carol and Laura were members of the Kansas City Figure Skating Club, which Laura continued on their move to Tulsa.  In 1971, they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  While in Tulsa, Carol started a pony club to teach young children all of the proper aspects of horse care and riding principles.  In 1988, they moved to Maryville, Tennessee, where she had a 35-acre horse operation.  She is a lifelong member of the Crossroads Dressage Society which she founded.  Carol taught Dressage for several years at her farm, and had a big impact on her students’ lives.  She and her two daughters competed in Hunter Jumper activities, and then followed up with her Dressage involvement.

Online condolences may be sent to fhobbs@aol.com.  Any contributions may be made to a Hospice organization of your choice. 

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on July 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., at her farm at 4728 N. Wildwood Road in Maryville, Tennessee, with a large attendance anticipated. Cremation Done ProperlyTM under the care of Dotson Funeral Home, Wildwood. (865-984-5959) Online Book of Memories – www.dotsonfuneralhome.com

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