Dorothy Mae Carlson

Dorothy was born in the small town of Wyanet, Illinois to Clarence and Eleanor Smith.  She grew up among a household of eleven children (Floyd, Hazel, Lola, Edwin, Dorothy, Margie, Belva, Betty, Mildred, Margaret and Gloria).  She attended Jacksonville School for the Blind in Jacksonville, Illinois for 7th through 12th grade, earning her high school diploma in 1942. 

While attending school, she met the love of her life and soul mate, Howard Donald Carlson.  After completing school and dating from a distance, Howard and Dorothy married on May 27, 1944.  Howard and Dorothy began a family of their own, with the births of Nancy Ann, Diana Jean and David Lee.  In 1951, they packed up their family, along with Howard’s father, Carl Gustaf Carlson, and relocated to Bradenton, Florida.  They arrived to property they had purchased sight unseen, created a home on that property in east Bradenton before bringing their fourth child, Susan Marie into the family.  They remained on this property for the balance of their lives, watching their four children complete their education and create families of their own. 

Dorothy was a very proud and humble woman, taking great pride in all her children and their families.  She was so excited to celebrate her 100th birthday with her family.  Dorothy was a homemaker her entire life, being known for her homemade cooking, baking and candy making.  She not only raised her own four children, but also played a pivotal role in the lives of many other children she cared for on a daily basis.  To this day, these children and their parents still visit and consider Dorothy a dear and valued part of their life. 

Howard and Dorothy, along with their children were members of the First Congregational Christian United Church of Christ in Bradenton, Florida.  The church was an important aspect in their life; the place where their children were baptized, attended Sunday school, were married and began the same with their own families.   

Dorothy is predeceased by her husband, Howard Carlson; grandson Aaron Joshua Bellamy; son-in-law Tommy Dennis Thompson, as well as all of her and Howard’s parents and siblings.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Thompson, Diana (Barry) Howard, David (Denise) Carlson, Susan (Merle) Bellamy, nine grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. 

Her life will be celebrated with family and friends on Tuesday, January 28th at the Griffith Cline Chapel in Bradenton.  Visitation will be held from 10am – 1pm; Services will begin at 1pm with burial and graveside services following at Skyway Memorial in Palmetto. 

                                                                A life well lived. 

                       Those we love are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.