Lillian Carson, 97, of Sunnyside, died Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Olton with Pastor Valentine Martinez officiating.  Interment will follow at Olton Cemetery under the direction of Ramage Funeral Directors.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Ramage Funeral Directors in Olton.

Lillian Fay Aven was born September 14, 1925, to Alonzo Lester and Mabel Aven in Plainview, Texas. She grew up in Hart in a home full of family, love, and life. At a young age, she met the love of her life, Carl Houston Carson and they vowed to spend the rest of their lives together. Shortly after those vows, Houston was called upon to serve in World War II. He was in New York preparing to go overseas and against the better judgment of her father, Lillian found a way to board a train and travel alone from rural Texas to New York City to find him so she could see him one more time before he was sent into war in another country. This is just one of many stories that shine a light on her "where there is a will, there is a way" lifestyle.

After Houston returned from his service, he and Lillian began their family and raised four children on their farm in Sunnyside, Texas. They were active members of the Sunnyside Baptist Church and in the community.

When Lillian was only 44 years old, she found herself widowed. She may have had limited job experience at that point in her life, but there were no limits to her tenacity. She knew she had to carry on for her family and she had to do it on her own.  She decided to start selling Mary Kay Cosmetics and very soon earned Director status. It might be said that she was a natural at selling, but it might be better said that she was a natural at doing whatever it took to survive. She was a skilled seamstress and could sew or crochet anything she saw without a pattern. She baked cakes that became her signature as did her caramel fudge and other Christmas candies she sold for many years.

Her family had turmoil and trials throughout the years as many families do. She was the matriarch – and she took her role seriously. Everyone converged at her home in Sunnyside to share a holiday, a reunion, or a birthday. She loved her children and grandchildren fiercely and enjoyed watching their families continue to grow. She modeled the attributes of gratitude, hard work, perseverance, and positivity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her forever love Houston Carson, and a son, Carl Dean Carson. She is survived by her daughter Louise Carson and Richard of Lubbock, her son Gene Carson and Bonnie of Kansas, her daughter Resa Carson and Jill of Lubbock and her daughter-in-law Terrie Carson. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and even a few great-great-grandchildren.

The legacy she has left behind will continue to honor her through their bond as a family and by portraying the very person she was – a survivor who maintained a smile and a sparkle in her eye throughout every obstacle of her life. She will be remembered by those who loved her as the epitome of grace and grit.