Known as the Godmother of Volunteerism, Carol was born in Brownwood, and graduated from Brownwood High School in May of 1958. After High School she attended college in Austin, Texas and later graduated from beauty school. She then returned to Brownwood with her family and became very involved through the years in the community.
Carol loved Jesus and was driven by passion; she was a very caring and an extraordinary person and friend. She was respected by all who knew and worked with her. She was known as “the hostess with the mostess” and loved to set a beautiful table. Anyone who knew her also knew about her famous strawberry bread. Some of her favorite things were family, black history, the Dallas Cowboys and of course the Brownwood Lions.
In the early 60’s Carol travel the world from Japan to Washington D.C. as a military wife. In 1973 Carol returned home to Brownwood, Texas with her children and in 1975, Spratt married the love of her life Mr. Oliver Leonard Spratt, better known as “O.L. and the two had three wonderful children, Linda D. Spratt, Robert L. Spratt, and Sareta R. Spratt Delgado. They remained married until his death in November 2020.
Carol was a dedicated member of Emanuel Chapel United Methodist Church. She worked for GTE from 1973 until her retirement in 1993. In 1994 she began working in the central office of the Brownwood Independent School District as a receptionist. She retired from the Brownwood ISD in 2011 but was called back to Central Office BISD in 2012 to sell Brownwood Lions Football Tickets.
After retirement Carol took on a new career of community action and volunteerism. She poured her heart and soul into the community of Brownwood. She sat on various boards and gave of her time to different causes. One project that was near and dear to her heart was the R.F Hardin School restoration project. As a little girl she attended R.F. Hardin Elementary during segregation. She worked for years to get the school on the Texas and National historic registry, while restoring the failing building. Having the never give up attitude, in 1999, the Rufus F. Hardin School became a recognized historical site. The association raised enough funds to stabilize the building, clean the outer bricks and seal the roof. Her vision and dream were to turn the school into a museum and community center, celebrating the rich history of the R.F Tigers. In 2008 Carol was selected Girl Scouts Women of Distinction for her continued work and support of the organization, she loved pouring into young girls and giving them tools to be successful in life. When she wasn’t helping other organizations and groups, she founded and served as the president of United Neighbors Involved to Improve organization. Here she worked with other community members to improve the neighborhood and community wherein she lived.
A major event her newly found organization helped to create and sponsor was the Juneteenth Celebration. For decades, she worked tirelessly as the Juneteenth Celebration coordinator, to provide education, entertainment, and a sense of pride about Juneteenth.
Carol always found time to help others. She lent her time to other boards including: the Good Samaritan Board, the Red Cross Board, and the Greenleaf Cemetery Board. In 2011 she worked with ROC (Revitalizing Our Community) to advocate naming the new plaza at the southeast corner of West Commerce Street at West Austin Avenue, the MLK Plaza. She has supported many with prayer and encouragement believing for change and great things for this city. Everyone knew if you needed that “big idea” or someone to get things done, look no further than Carol Spratt.
She faithfully served her community well with love, until her passing in 2021. She always said, “Brownwood is a wonderful place to live.”
Her love and passion for the community of Brownwood led her to be known as the Godmother of volunteerism. ROC is honored to spotlight such an amazing person in our community. Thank you, Carol, for your dedication and passion.
This continues the spotlight series presented by ROC.
