Wanda Carson

Tribute

Wanda Jean Carson of Lone Star passed away at the age of 89 on February 28, 2026. The second of six children, Wanda was born in Denison, Texas, on March 3, 1936, to Hubert and Susie B. Sweet. A 1954 graduate of Denison High School, Wanda met the love of her life, Don Carson, when he was performing as a trumpeter in the Air Force Band. Together, they had three children that Wanda adored. Wanda ran a nurturing household, where she mentored younger siblings and acted as an adoptive mother to children in need. She took substitute teaching jobs in local school districts and worked as a childcare provider, maintaining lasting relationships with children that she helped raise. A gifted seamstress, Wanda made her family beautiful clothes and put these skills to use in the Daingerfield Sewing Plant. She attended Northeast Texas Community College, where she completed all requirements for an Associate of Arts without taking the degree. Later in life, Wanda became an avid penny-stocks trader and a student of the stock market. A proud member of the Daingerfield Church of Christ, Wanda was a servant of the Lord. She only missed a service or Bible study if it was physically impossible due to illness or unforeseen circumstances. She was committed to a daily scriptural and prayer practice and strove to live a godly life. Her faith bolstered her resiliency in overcoming life’s struggles, and she elated in the prospect of rejoicing in Heaven one day. A lover of the natural world, Wanda enjoyed sitting on her front porch swing and observing cardinals and robins as her daddy’s homemade wind chimes sang in the wind. Outside, her garden was populated with roses, cannas, jonquils, morning glories, four-o-clocks, irises, and hyacinths. Inside, she nurtured African violets, Christmas cactuses, and aloe vera. She planted tomatoes in the summer and looked forward to harvesting the apples, pears, pomegranates, and muscadines that flourished on her property in season. Wanda was known as a giver. A talented artisan, she crocheted incessantly, creating blankets, pillowcases, hats, and cloaks, and almost always gave these items away free of charge. Sometimes they were gifts to church family, especially on the arrival of a newborn; sometimes they were surprises for elders in the nursing homes that she visited; and sometimes they were tokens of love to friends and family. She understood the importance of food as a form of care and delighted in making her family members’ favorite dishes. More than anything else, Wanda cherished family and the well-being of others. She greatly anticipated family gatherings, holidays, and birthday celebrations. Reminiscing on family memories and perusing family photos were some of her favorite pastimes. She always asked about people's health and life struggles, keeping everyone in her daily prayers. She was blessed with a church congregation, friends, and neighbors who loved her like family, and she spoke with gratitude about them often.

Friends & Family

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two children (Joey Carson and Susan Carson), and two siblings (Royce Sweet and Kawatha Baecht). She is survived by a son, Ronald Carson (Sheri), a daughter-in-law, Donna Carson, and four grandchildren: Joanna Ashlock (Richard); Chris Carson (Kaci); Dr. Amanda Mixon (Ariel Rivera); and William Mixon (Charlotte Martinez-Huskey). Her memory also lives on through seven great-grandchildren: Nathan Ashlock, Daniel Ashlock, Brody Carson, Drake Carson, McKinlee Standridge, Carter Standridge, and Madyson Carson. Her remaining siblings—Patsy Winkler, Anna Ford (Bill), and David Sweet (Jennifer)—along with numerous nieces and nephews, carry on her legacy as well.