Lois Mae (Dillon) Carleton

Lois Mae Carleton (Dillon) went to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, May 11, 2023.  Celebration of Life services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Friday May 19, 2023 at Journey Church, 9711 FM 2186 with Pastors Debbie and Chuck Phillips officiating. The family will be accepting friends at Journey Church from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday May 18, 2023.

She was born on April 27, 1932 in Moorcroft, Wyoming to Mae Grace Hartshorn and Emory Warrington Dillon. Lois was the next to youngest of 9 children – Keith, Thelma, Verne, Hubert, Dorothy, Harold, Bea, and Doris.   All of her siblings pre-deceased her.

Lois grew up on a ranch at Stroner, Wyoming (60 miles from Gillette, Wyoming). When she was 16, the family move to Odessa, MO where she graduated from high school.  Lois then went to work at Kline’s Department Store in Kansas City, MO.   On March 17th, she went on a blind date and met her future husband, Newton Carleton.  Over a dinner of barbecue ribs, they realized that they worked at the same department store but had never crossed paths.   They married 6 months later on October 6, 1951 in Odessa, MO, and celebrated their 71st anniversary in 2022. 

A year after they were married,  Newton was drafted into the US Army, serving two years during the Korean War.  Upon his return, the couple moved to Amarillo, Texas. 

In 1964, Lois and Newt welcomed the first of their two adopted children, Roger, who was followed by their daughter, April, five years later.   Lois chose to be a stay at home mom, devoting her life to her family and volunteering.  She was the first to sign up as room mother – always being creative with gifts and treats for her children’s classrooms.  Lois continually looked for ways to serve and devoted her time to service.  She volunteered for RSVP (retired senior volunteer program) who recently recognized her for 35 years of service.   Lois also helped with the Amarillo Centennial in 1987, mentored students through the AISD HOSTS (Helping One Student To Succeed) program, EASI (well water program) presentations, and many other agencies.   She also served in the Community of Christ church in many capacities – Sunday School Teacher, Women’s Leader, Historian, Financial Officer, and the office of Teacher in the priesthood. 

Lois loved God, her family, traveling, sewing, reading, corresponding with friends, and being a friend.  She was generous in sharing her talents – friend, neighbors, and family were blessed by her amazing meals and desserts as well as her skill as a seamstress.  Lois made six wedding dresses for her family and friends, as well as outfits for her grandchildren, other wedding attendant attire, curtains, and quilts.  Lois also loved to play games.  She was always up for a game of cards or dominoes, and most of the time wasn’t too bad about losing.    

She was preceded in death by her parents; her four sisters; Bea Dillon, Thelma Cousins, Dorothy Snearly, Doris Eike; her four brothers; Keith Dillon, Verne Dillon, Hubert Dillon and Harold Dillon.

Survivors include her husband, Newton Carleton, her two children - Roger Carleton, April Leming and spouse, Robert; daughter-in-law, Dolores Fernandez, 2 grandchildren – Erika Wyatt and Cameron Carleton; and her 3 grandsons – Jonah, Evan and Zane Wyatt. 

In honor of Lois the family requests that you wear something in her favorite color, Lavender.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center or Outreach International. 

Please visit the following link for livestreaming of the service https://boxcast.tv/view/lois-mae-carleton-dillon-celebration-of-life-service-qakq05cg1xyzxthpvizg

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.