Mrs. Mary Stevens Carson

August 24, 1925-July 21, 2017
God came to take one of His precious angels, Mary Stevens Carson age 91, to rest in her heavenly home on the night of July 21, 2017 at 7:22 p.m. at Franklin Foundation Hospital. On August 24, 1925, an astonishing occasion occurred in Oaklawn, Louisiana! On that special day, God blessed Lucy Riles Stevens with a beautiful baby girl whom they named Mary Louise Stevens. Mary was the baby among her three siblings, Gertrude, John and Louis Stevens
Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized at an early age at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Mary remained a faithful servant and later served under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Willie Otis, Sr., then Reverend Noah Smith where she served as President of the Mission Ministry, President of the Deaconess Ministry, Pastor’s Aide, Homecoming Team, President of the Kitchen Committee, Union Sixth District Women’s Auxiliary, and numerous other committees in her quest to please The Lord. Mary received her formal education from St. Mary Parish School System and Willow Street Negro High School. She later received her Nursing Assistance Training from BIMS. Throughout her life, she served in many capacities, some of which include: • Caregiver for many predominant families of Franklin • Caregiver at “Shadowlawn” located on Main Street for (10) years • Cafeteria worker at Willow Street Negro High • Worked at Franklin Foundation Hospital as a private sitter • Served as President of Franklin Senior High School Band Association, where she was instrumental in the raising of funds to allow the marching band to participate in the school’s first invitational to perform in the Disney Marching Parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida • Served as a Political Activist • Worked for election campaigns, some of which included: Governor Edwin Edwards, State Representative Jack Smith, Judge John Conly, Sheriff David Naquin, Sheriff Huey Bougeois, Parish President Paul Naquin, Dr. Gary Wiltz, Councilman Carl Foulcard, and Sheriff Man LeBlanc • Worked for election campaigns for State Representative Sam Jones to become the Mayor of Franklin for many-many years, whom she affectionately called “BOY; • Served as Queen of the Union 6th District Baptist Association under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend James Otis • Served as member and delegate in the local, state and national levels of National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. When she was active she traveled all across the country. • Served as Mt. Zion Baptist Church Mission Ministry President for twenty-three (23) years • Served as a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church $100 Pastor’s Aide Club • Served as President at Franklin Ladies Social Club • Served as an adviser for local and state politicians
Mary was a member of New Mt. Horeb Baptist Church, where she had served as Past President of Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Mission Ministry, under the pastoralship of Reverend James Otis. She has raised many other children from her family and community. Her wisdom, knowledge and love of people have been extended to her family and to other people in our community. Even at the age of eighty-five (85) when her health was willing, she cooked for the family and the neighborhood. “Granny”, as she was affectionately known, had a Servant’s Heart, always willing to open the doors of her home to feed, shelter, counsel and encourage. She did whatever she could do for anyone and you would never hear about it unless that person talked about it. Mary was a straight forward, firm and dignified woman filled with God’s love. Mary had two mottos she liked to share with the younger generation: First, “Put God first, then family and be yourself; you’ll fair out better in life because someone knew you before you knew yourself.” Second, “The key to becoming a successful leader is simple...first become a good and faithful follower.” Mary was a people person and pleased about it. She never met a stranger and anyone who met her remembered her. Meeting her was a pleasure, knowing her was a privilege! She lives life to the fullest! Mary leaves to cherish her precious memories, five (5) girls, Edna Ireland Pouncy of Houston, Texas, Ruby Anderson Lee of Houston, Texas, Geraldine Anderson of Franklin, Louisiana, Della Carson Bellard (Kenneth) of Franklin, Louisiana and Lydia Carson Bias (Bobby) of Houston, Texas; two (2) sons, George Dewey Carson, III (Van) of Houston, Texas and Christian Henry, Sr., who she raised from the age of four(4) months old as her son; fourteen (14) grandchildren, nine (9) great grandchildren and two (2) great-great grandchildren; seven (7) godchildren, Emma Dell Johnson, Tamika Ina Alexander, Dwayne Stewart, Willie Anderson, Jr., Oscar Hamilton, Louise Welsey Navy and Beverly Wiley; very close and dear relative and friends, Louise McDaniel Gray, Christine Steward, Herman Grant, Allen Joiner and Ruby Walls; a host of people who were more like her children; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lucy Riles Stevens and Louis Emit Stevens; her sister, Gertrude Stevens Webb-Jones; two(2) brothers, John Stevens and Louis Stevens; her husband, George Dewey Carson, Jr.; three (3) sons-in-law, Rodney Lee, Crawford Wilson, Sr. and Louis Pouncy; six (6) aunts, Coatney Riles-Wilson, Mary Riles-Jenkins, Isabella Riles-Lewis, Annie Riles-McDaniel, Sarah Riles, and Leona Riles-Williams; two (2) uncles, Willis Riles, III and Joshua Riles; and a host of relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held August 5, 2017 at Franklin Senior High School Auditorium 1401 Cynthia Street Franklin, Louisiana from 9 am until funeral service at 12 noon at Franklin Senior High School Auditorium 1401 Cynthia Street Franklin, Louisiana. Reverend James F. Otis – Officiating. Interment Franklin Cemetery Mausoleum. Repast Franklin Senior High Cafeteria.