Nona Carnes, age 79, of Bangs passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Lyndale Memory Care in Abilene.

Celebration of Life for Nona will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Blaylock Funeral Home. Private interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.

Nona Carnes was born on October 13, 1943. She and her sister, Belva Karen Rippetoe, were legally adopted by J. M. “Mack” Rippetoe and Odessa (Bernard) Rippetoe who lived in Bronte, Texas. Nona grew up in Bronte until she was 14 years old when the family moved to Bangs where she attended high school. Nona met and married the love of her life, Ben Carnes, when she was 16 years old on June 11, 1960. She gave birth to their 1st child, Carmon, one year later on their first anniversary June 11, 1961. Nona and Ben were blessed with a son, B.J., on March 26, 1971. Nona also attended Beauty College and became a beautician, working in The Magic Mirror Salon in Brownwood. She also worked alongside her husband, Ben, who became a pharmacist and worked with her father, Mack Rippetoe, at Rippetoe’s Pharmacy for many years. Nona and Ben became the owners of Rippetoe’s Pharmacy in 1971 through 2016.

Nona and Ben had many years of service with recovering families. This began countless relationships that blessed their lives. The family and friends of Nona are as numerous as the stars.

Nona is survived by her daughter, Carmon Carnes Bradshaw and husband David of Abilene; granddaughter, Mackenzie Carnes of the Netherlands; sister, Melodee Huggins and husband Maurice. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who all loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Ben Carnes; son, B.J. Carnes; sister, Belva Rippetoe; and her parents, Mack and Odessa Rippetoe.

Nona also made many friends over the past two years at Lyndale Memory Care in Abilene, TX. They were special and made her days good. Her special friend, Grady Barr, was a blessing to her and the family, because he blessed Nona over the past two years.

Online condolences for the family are welcome at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.