Velva Caroline Carson (Ailor), 79

March 28, 1931 - Sept. 20, 2010

Velva was born March 28, 1931, in Cottonwood. She was the daughter of Glenn and Sue Ailor who owned a funeral home in Grangeville. She had a wonderful childhood with her brother Stewart and sister Carol Sue.

Joe and Velva met at the University of Idaho in 1951, where they were students and Velva studied to become a teacher. They were married Sept. 13, 1952. They had promised Velva's father that she would complete her college education after marrying Joe. They had a few short months together before Joe was sent off to Korea. Velva was a newlywed who was apart from her new love of her life for what seemed like a lifetime of 18 months. While Joe was overseas, they kept their promise to her parents to complete her college education and a teacher she would become.

Upon Joe's return, Velva and Joe moved to Longview, Wash., where they began to build their family and careers. Velva used her teaching credentials and Joe his degree in accounting. For the next 30 years they prospered, memories were made and dreams came true.

For career opportunities and to be closer to family, Velva and Joe moved to Federal Way, Wash., in 1985. They enjoyed grandchildren, Mariner baseball, part-time motor homing and much more. Dear friends were made wherever they went.

And a new wonderful life began in retirement in 1992, motor homing was a passion. And travel they did. They led caravans of recreational vehicles into Mexico and Alaska. Again, more dear friends were made. They began to spend winters in Mexico and Phoenix, Ariz., and summers in Coeur d'Alene. In 1998, Velva and Joe moved into Palm Lake Village, in North Phoenix, Ariz., and called it "home sweet home" here they were blessed to meet some of the best friends they could only have dreamed of making.

During this season of life, Velva had several challenges to her health. She survived brain surgery, breast cancer, managed her diabetes and handled these challenges with incredible strength. She had Joe and the kids to take care of and much more to do, and knowing Velva, these challenges were not going to stop her. Too much life was left to live.

In April 2009, Velva was diagnosed with a deadly disease that was attacking her lungs, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was a lifelong non-smoker and was always courageous and strong when facing challenges. She lived with this illness with strength, dignity and courage.

She was admitted into the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix (where she had volunteered for nine years), on Sept. 16, 2010, upon her return from a summer in Coeur d'Alene. With the family by her side, she made the decision to remove life support. Courageous she was again... who would have thought this pretty girl had such strength. Joe, Kenny, Connie, daughter-in-law Renae, and Kris were holding her when she went to be with the Lord on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, at 1:20 p.m.

She is already missed, but we know she is in Heaven helping others.

Velva is survived by her husband of 58 years, Joseph H. Carson of Phoenix; her sons, Kenneth R. Carson of Missoula, Mont., and Kris G. Carson of Federal Way; daughter Connie Sue Carson of Sacramento, Calif.; a sister, Carol Sue Hauntz of Grangeville; five grandchildren and 2.5 great-grandchildren.