Gwen Carley

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, kind mother, fun grandmother, sister, and friend, Anita Gwen Gafford Carley who passed away on July 4, 2026 in Heber City, Utah, at the age of 89.

Gwen was born on November 15, 1936 in Big Spring, Texas to Monroe and Clyde Gafford. She was a big sister to Ken Gafford.

Gwen attended Baylor University after graduating from high school in Big Spring, Texas. It was there that she met Roy Carley and soon after the couple was inseparable. Roy and Gwen married on May 28, 1957.

Gwen and Roy had many adventures right from the start. After graduating from Baylor they moved to Ft Benning, Georgia so Roy could complete his active duty training. Soon after Roy took a job in Odessa, Texas. There they had their first born, Craig. Two years later they moved to Midland where Roy worked for Sproles Woodard CPAs. Soon after Gwen gave birth to a baby girl, Kenda. Gwen and Roy attended First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas where Gwen sang with the Sonshiners in the choir, participated in women's bible study, and often taught Sunday school. It was at First Baptist Midland where Gwen would make friendships that would last a lifetime. In 1972, Gwen gave birth to her last child, Keren. Gwen's 40 years in Midland were filled with love, laughter, and happiness.

In 2003, soon after Roy retired from Sproles Woodard, they moved to southwest Houston to be closer to their son Craig and his family. Many years later, Keren and her husband joined them in the Houston area. There Gwen made many kind friends at Tallowood Baptist Church.

Throughout their years in Midland and Houston Roy and Gwen traveled to many places around the world. Gwen was always ready for any travel adventure Roy had in mind.

In 2015, Roy and Gwen moved to Utah to follow their youngest child, Keren, and to go on one more adventure. Once again, they made many wonderful friends and enjoyed the mountain views. Gwen spent the last 2 years of her life in the very kind and thoughtful care of the Spring Gardens Memory Care staff, at Spring Gardens Assisted Living in Heber City, Utah.

Gwen is survived by her faithful husband, Roy Carley; her 3 children, Craig (Kris) Carley, Kenda (Jerry) Spaulding, and Keren (John) Mazanec; 4 grandchildren, Caden Carley, Camen Carley, Karys Carley, and Samantha Mazanec; and her sister-in-laws, Doris "Tinker" Lloyd and Jeananne Gafford.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Clyde Gafford; her in-laws, Carol and Roy Sr. Carley; her brother, Ken Gafford; and her brother-in-law, Denny Carley.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Heber Valley Funeral Home at 288 North Main Street, Heber City, UT 84032. Interment will take place following the service at the Midway City Cemetery.