Violet "Dolly" Carl

Violet J. "Dolly" (Billings) Carl, 75, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully with her family by her side Monday evening, July 2, 2018. Violet was born May 19, 1943, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Manley and Marguerite (Brown) Billings. Dolly attended Battle Creek Central High School and graduated from Bellevue Community Schools. She married William M. Carl, Sr., at St. Joseph Catholic Church on October 29, 1960. After approximately twenty years, Violet retired from the Kellogg Company as lead keypunch operator, previously employed in data processing by Transamerica Insurance and the Kelly Girl temporary agency. Dolly and her husband enjoyed their cottage on Pretty Lake in Mecosta County and became snowbirds post-retirement at the Outdoor Resorts of America in Melbourne Beach, Florida. Dolly most recently was a parish member at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Battle Creek but attended a variety of other Catholic churches in Michigan and Florida. She was very passionate about the families' genealogy including the recent discovery of her own DNA results. Not only did Dolly appreciate educational programing, going to the movies and theatre, traveling domestically and internationally, dining out and dancing, but also she had an appreciation for all things vintage which was evident in her collection of teapots, depression glass, stamps, and coins. Dolly blessed others with her skills, talents, and artistic abilities over her lifetime. She had a blast being a chapter queen in her Red Hat's Society and catching up with old friends and coworkers. Most of all, however, "Mima" loved making memories with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Dolly is survived by daughters Marjorie Carl-Ochoa of Chicago and Rebecca (Victor) Lucas-Quirino of Battle Creek; daughter-in-law Doris Carl of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Jessica (Bradley) Trompeter, William Carl, III (& Kelsey Foxx), Danielle (Nicholas) St. Clair, Anthony (Angela) Ochoa, Ashley (Chad) Holloway, Mary (Jacob) Smith, Scarlett (Patrick) Barrus, Emily Carl, Evangeline Carl (& fianc Tim Beals); bonus grandchildren Victor and Khalani Lucas; and numerous great grandchildren including: Jeremiah, Jerico, Addison, Maria, Elijah, Hunter, Margot, Ember, Sterling, Levi, Robin, Zoey, and Mark. Dolly is also survived by sisters-in-law Barbara Billings, Diane Tanner, and Darlene Carl; and brothers-in-law James (Nancy) Carl, Richard (Brenda) Carl, and Rodney (Patricia) Carl; and a plenitude of nephews and nieces. Besides her husband, Dolly was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Marilyn Dockum, Doreen Griffin, Manley "Bud" Billings, and Donald Billings; father- and mother-in-law, Thomas L. and Pauline Carl; brothers-in-law Thomas N. and Donald Carl; and two sons, Dean A. Carl and William M. Carl, Jr. Being present with her Savior, Jesus Christ, and reunited with her husband and sons in heaven are surely the greatest joys that she has ever experienced! Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, 3:00p.m.-5:30p.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home of Battle Creek with praying the Rosary at 5:30p.m. Funeral Mass to celebrate Dolly's life will begin at 11:00a.m. Monday, July 9, at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church. At 2:30p.m., interment next to her beloved husband will take place at Hillside Cemetery, Kalamo Township, Eaton County, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart (AHA) or Diabetes Associations (ADA). To raise awareness of women's heart health, please join us by wearing red to the visitation and/or funeral in memory of Violet. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com. A very special, heartfelt thanks to the staff at New Friends Assisted Living, the police and emergency medical crew, Bronson Methodist Hospital's Emergency Department, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Social Workers, Chaplin Services, and Father James Richardson of St. Mary's Catholic Church for their expertise and family-centered care. Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care