Carla Mae Schilling, a beloved educator and dedicated rancher, passed away February 7, 2026, in George West, Texas at the age of 78.

Carla was born September 11, 1947, in Beeville to Henry Carl Schilling and Vallie Mae (Baird) Schilling. She graduated with honors from A.C. Jones High School and Texas A&I Kingsville and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in education, paving the way for a commendable career in teaching. She spent two years at Our Lady of Refuge in Refugio, Texas, followed by three years at Strickland School in Refugio.

In addition to her career in education, Carla’s greatest passion was being a lifelong rancher, cattlewoman and devoted landowner. Her strong work ethic and commitment were instilled by her parents who taught her the value of hard work and dedication. Carla was known for her infectious smile and positive outlook on life, traits that endeared her to family, friends and colleagues alike. She loved visiting family and friends and enjoyed going on trips to Colorado. She was lifetime member of the Texas State Teachers Association and actively participated in numerous organizations including the American Hereford Association, Bee County Farm Bureau, the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and was a past member of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio.

In addition to her parents, Carla was also preceded in death by her aunts, Frances (Baird) Passmore, Lois (Baird) Jaschke, Frieda (Schilling) Haile, Ruth (Durnal) Baird and Anna (Schilling) Mauch; uncles, Richard (Getrude) Schilling and Terry, Melvin, Hicks, Frank and Roger Baird; and cousin, Joe Mauch Jr.

Survivors include her first cousins, Stanley (Holly) Schilling of George West, Carol Darnell (Baird) Billings of Corpus Christi, Jimmy (Betty) Baird of Dallas and Jimmy Mauch of Taft; as well as two godsons, Jimmy Cockroft of Victoria and Beau Schilling of Amarillo; and numerous second and third cousins.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, February 13 at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home in Beeville with the funeral service at 2 o’clock. Rev. Ashley Hons and Carol D. (Baird) Billings will co-officiate. Burial will follow at Beeville Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Beau Schilling, Stanley Schilling, Johnny Maxwell, Ricky Saenz, Dustin Baird and Alan Meredith.

Jimmy Baird, Bert Groda and Jimmy Mauch will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carla’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy, St. Jude's Research Hospital or First Christian Church in Beeville.