Matilda J. "Tillie" Carlson's Obituary
Matilda (Tillie) J. Carlson, age 96, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Spring Lake, Michigan. She was born on January 14, 1924 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Thomas Albert Berry and Blanche Berry (James).
Tillie grew up in Shreveport, LA. She graduated from Fair Park High School in Shreveport. After high school she was employed by a local bank until she married and moved from Shreveport.
Tillie married Carl Carlson in 1945 in a military wedding in San Antonio, Texas and they were married for 65 years when he passed away in 2010. They moved from Muskegon to Florida over 40 years ago eventually settling in the Lakeland area.
Tillie and Carl attended Medulla Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida and they were members of Calvary Baptist Church in Muskegon before they moved to Florida. She proudly acknowledges her faith and belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
Tillie was active in the television/appliance sales/service store she and Carl started in the mid-1950’s in Muskegon. After that she owned and operated a plaster craft business for a few years. She also obtained her cosmetology license in 1970. Tillie enjoyed flower gardening and indoor plants. She was an avid golfer in Muskegon and Lakeland, Florida where she earned performance trophies in her flight.
Tillie is survived by her son, Carl Jr. (Rosemarie) of Lansing, MI and daughter, Shirley L. Troyer (Phillip) of Spring Lake, MI; her brother, William (Jeannette) Berry of Vicksburg, MS; her grandchildren, Carl III, Jason (Abby) Manchesky, and Chae (David) O’Keefe; 4 great-grandchildren, Jack, Holden, Eleanor and Charlotte; as well as many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Tillie requested that her ashes be placed alongside those of her late husband Carl. Her life will be celebrated in the Spring in a small family service at Chubbuck Cemetery in Kent County, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Calvary Christian Schools, 5873 Kendra Rd., Fruitport Charter Township, MI 49415. Arrangements entrusted to The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.sytsemafh.com
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