Velda P. Carson, 92, of Greenville, formerly of Pocahontas, died on Sunday, March 19, 2023, with her family by her side.
Services were held on Saturday, March 25, at Meridith Funeral Home in Pocahontas, with Pastor Dee Armes of Greenville First Christian Church officiating. Burial was at Robinson Cemetery in Pocahontas. Meridith Funeral Home in Pocahontas assisted the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Carson was born on Oct. 7, 1930, to Joseph W. and Sadie L. (nee Ziller) Taylor, in Gary, IN. She married the love of her life, Charles J. Carson, on Jan. 15, 1950, in Greenville. Their marriage lasted over 72 beautiful years.
Ms. Carson grew up in East Chicago, IN, attending Franklin Grade School and Washington High School in the Sunnyside Neighborhood. Her family moved to Pocahontas in 1946, when her dad was hired to build St. Nicholas Church. She finished High School in Pocahontas, graduating in 1948.
The Carsons moved to Pocahontas in the early 1950’s where they raised their five children. Mrs. Carson was a great cook, often disguising food so her kids would eat it; and an even better baker, with her specialty being her Cinnamon Pinwheel Coffee Cake and her various cookies, all from scratch. She would often make food for the lodge chicken dinners, church functions, and baked for the school bake sales.
Mrs. Carson was also a talented artist, creating many portraits and sketches along with the original Chief Powhatan and Princess Pocahontas for Powhatan Restaurant. She created artwork for the school carnivals, concerts, and plays. She loved to travel, visiting 18 states, and spending a month in Hawaii. She was an avid bowler and participated on the Grantfork Thursday night ladies bowling league with her friends. She also volunteered on Memorial Day at Robinson Cemetery for many years.
Mrs. Carson is survived by her children, David (Jean Marie) Carson of Bent, NM, Deborah (Delmar) Smail of Hillsboro, Cheryl (Steve) Mardis of Bloomington, Valerie (Jeff) Higginbotham of Florissant, MO, and Veronica (George) Schaufelberger of New Orleans, LA; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles J. Carson; parents, Joseph W. and Sadie Taylor; three siblings and their spouses; a nephew and niece-in-law.
Memorials may be made to Robinson Cemetery or Pocahontas United Methodist Church. Condolences may be left online at meridithfuneralhome.com.
