July 4, 1925 – Oct. 16, 2012
Virginia M. (McKinley) Carson, 87, longtime resident of Sweet Home and Hopewell, died Oct. 16, 2012 in Lebanon.
She was born in Hopewell, the youngest of nine children, to George Kirby and Rebecca (Sohn) McKinley. She was born at home and delivered by Dr. Lott, who came from Amity in a horse and buggy.
She married Everett D. Carson on Oct. 12, 1947 in Newberg. They moved to Sweet Home, where they raised their three children, Ron, Cody and Frank. Mr. Carson died Dec. 5, 1963.
Mrs. Carson worked at the Del Monte cannery in Salem, picked hops, berries, beans and took care of her family. After raising her children, she split her time taking care of her family’s farm in Hopewell and her home in Sweet Home.
She loved gardening, planting flowers, canning, hand writing cards and letters to friends and family, sneaking food to the neighbor’s pets and taking care of her pet chicken Tilda. When she wasn’t attending to her yard or home, she was attending her great-grandchildren’s sporting events. She was a simple woman with a simple life, a permanent smile and heart of gold.
Mrs. Carson is survived by her two sons and their families, Ron Carson and Sally Skaggs, and Cody and daughter-in-law Joey Carson, all of Lebanon; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband; son Frank Carson; parents; four brothers and four sisters.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Hopewell Cemetery.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.