Carolyn Edson

Daughter, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Mother, and Grandmother are just titles. It takes someone with an open heart, loving grace, ample patience, and true understanding to make a mere title into a loving term of endearment. Carolyn Ann Edson (Johnson) left this world Friday, October 12, 2018 surrounded by her family. Carolyn was born July 10, 1937 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was the daughter of Lance L. Johnson, Sr. and Lena E. Johnson who predeceased her. Carolyn was also preceded in death by her two loving brothers, Robert L. Johnson and Lance L. Johnson. and is survived by four siblings, B. Philip (Sun Cha) Johnson of Vicksburg, Timothy L. (Keri) Johnson of Portage, Susan K. Ayres of Portage, and Marcia A. (David) Tomko of Holland. To her, family was everything. Carolyn was the oldest girl of seven siblings. She loved the color pink and always took on the role of helping in the care of her siblings as she grew up. Patience and love were her strong points. In 1958, she married the love of her life, Kenneth D. Edson, who left this world in January 2016. They were married 58 wonderful years before she lost Ken to cancer. Carolyn and Ken had three children they loved with all their hearts, Steven Wayne Edson of Kalamazoo, Karen Ann Tayler of Kalamazoo, and Pamela Mae Donohue of Vicksburg. Carolyn and Ken's proudest moment was when they were blessed with two grandchildren, Sean Michael Donohue and Jennifer Lynn Donohue. Carolyn always took an active role in her children, volunteering in PTO, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, band booster, and every fundraiser that came her way to help in her supporting her children. She was team mom and score keeper for both her daughters' Little League and high school teams, always cheering the loudest for her girls and passing out her home-baked treats to the team. You could find her with a lawn chair, score book at the ready, and treats for the all the softball team players carefully tucked in the trunk of her car. As a mom, well, she was best! As a grandmother, I believe her heart grew even bigger. She never missed an opportunity to take both children and show them all the love and support she could. To Carolyn, it was a calling. She always took the time to show her love, hug her children and grandchildren, and most importantly, showing us how to laugh and smile through all of life's events. Carolyn also loved her church and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Portage (now Pathfinder Church) where she had taught Sunday school, took toys and items to the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, and was very proud to sing in their choir. She worked in her younger years at Sears and JC Penney as a clerk before working until she retired from Upjohn after 18 years. How she managed working full time alongside all the activities she always volunteered for is beyond anyone's comprehension. But, she did and she did all of this without one complaint. You see, it wasn't hard work if you loved what you were doing. Visitation will be Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Pathfinders Church, 8740 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. There will be a luncheon served at the church following the funeral. Carolyn will be taken to her final resting place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with the love of her life, Kenneth D. Edson. A private graveside service will be held. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign on-line guest book or leave a message of condolences for the family. Flowers may be sent to Pathfinder Church for the funeral: Donations to honor Carolyn will also be accepted by the Gage Wilson Campership Fund, Boy Scout Troop 244 if preferred.