Florence Pauline Carlson

Florence Johnson Carlson, 97, went to be with her heavenly Father Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Ridgecrest Skilled Nursing Home Facility. Services will be at 1 p.m. February 24, at First United Methodist Downtown (1300 Austin Avenue), with Brandon Frenzel officiating. Interment is a private service prior to the Celebration of her Life. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, February 23, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Florence was born to S. T. and Emma (Anderson) Johnson in Taylor, Texas, on July 6, 1925. She graduated from Taylor High School in 1941 and loved her five years of working in the City National Bank in Taylor. She married Chester E. Carlson on July 19, 1946. They moved to Waco and lived there all of their married life. Chester passed away October 10, 2014.

After more than a year of working at the Citizen National Bank, Florence stayed at home to be the mother of Diana Lynn, Chester Jr., and Stephanie. She assisted Chester Sr. in his business and participated in school and church activities. She worked at the WISD School Administration Building as a secretary to B. E. Hollowell for 18 years, retiring in 1990. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, formerly known as Austin Avenue Methodist Church, since 1947.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her siblings; her daughter, Diana Lynn Carlson McQuerry; son-in-law, James Paul McQuerry; sister-in-law, Edna Brown; brothers-in-law, Bill Brown and V. G. Carlson Jr.; two nephews; and a niece.

She is survived by her son, Chester (Gene) Carlson and wife, Donna of Borger, Texas; daughter, Stephane Sue Carlson Hansen of Chilton, Texas; former son-in-law, Kirk Darwin Hansen of Belgium; grandchildren, Shawn McQuerry, Kelli McQuerry Kubala and husband, Kenny, all of Boulder, Colorado, Lance Carlson and wife, Elizabeth of Canyon, Texas, Tyler Hansen and wife, Lisa, from Laguna Niguel, California, Heath Kirk of Borger, and Cory Kirk and wife, Kelli, of Borger; great-grandchildren, Karl and Adam Kubala, of Boulder, Kade and Piper Carlson of Canyon, Kamren Shannon, Autumn, and Mollie Kirk of Borger, Makayla and Daegen Kirk, of Borger; and great-granddaughters, Chloe Rae Hansen, of Laguna Niguel, and Ariel Shannon, of Borger; sister-in-law, Elva Carlson, of Austin; and several nieces and nephews.

She chose her favorite scripture at an early age: “All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Memorials make be made to First United Methodist Church or the Chester E Carlson Endowed Scholarship Fund in Accounting, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97026, Waco, TX., 76798-7026.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.