Anna Louise Carson Daniels, age 90, passed from her earthly home into Heaven on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Born February 13, 1934, near Woodland, Mississippi, to Noel Brady Carson, Sr. and Mary Louise Weeks Carson, Louise lived a selfless life of love and service to her family, community and others until her death, leaving a sweet, unwavering legacy of kindness, compassion and devotion which endeared her to everyone she met. She will be missed but fondly remembered by all who knew her.
Louise was a lifelong learner and teacher, having graduated from Woodland High School in 1952, Wood Junior College in 1954 and Mississippi State College for Women (MUW) in 1956 with a degree in Home Economics. She served as dietician for the Houston hospital the summer following graduation before teaching home economics at Vardaman High School for one year. She then began a 32-year career with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service through Mississippi State University, as the Pontotoc County 4-H leader for two years, then as the county’s Extension Home Economist for 30 years, retiring in 1989 after a long and distinguished career. Louise was recognized as Mississippi’s Outstanding Home Economist in 1987, an award not sought but certainly earned, and with it came an educational trip to Spain with Mississippi State University.
Louise used her early years on the family farm to guide her. She said as a young girl, there wasn’t much to do on the farm but lend a hand, but it was a wonderful though hard life that she cherished. Her Aunt Lora and then 4-H agent Norma Arndt encouraged her to join 4-H, and in doing so, she excelled, entering almost every competition offered. She raised award-winning Duroc pigs, showing them at the county and state fairs, winning many ribbons and savings bonds. She also learned to sew, cook and can at home, winning numerous 4-H awards and bonds for her efforts. Those savings bonds helped Louise pay for college.
During her long career, she taught many people, young and old, the art of cooking, canning, gardening and sewing, as well as public speaking, money management, self-esteem and many other beneficial life-long traits. She often carried children to MSU on school buses to compete in these areas, and many awards were won. As Home Economist, knowing everyone couldn’t attend regular meetings, she hosted a weekly radio program on WSEL to promote and teach these same worth-while skills to adults and children alike. Louise also consistently served as a judge for many competitions at area county fairs as well as local beauty pageants. She was passionate about her job and kept herself busy helping others, a nod to her upbringing that shaped her in profound ways. She held demonstration clubs where ladies came together and worked in the home and community to promote home economics. She had clothing reviews where men, women and children modeled clothing made in the home. She even taught Weight Off Wisely classes, with weekly gatherings to learn about nutrition, effective exercise and losing weight in a healthy manner.
Louise enjoyed telling interesting stories about the past that shaped her, especially about her days growing up on the farm and her interesting career. Her grandchildren especially loved hearing these stories. Louise loved to entertain her family and friends, preparing meals at home, baking pies and cakes. If her family called and said they were coming for a visit, often timed strategically around mealtime, she would easily have a full meal prepared when they arrived. She was passionate about serving and helping others in any way she could, and this was evident until her last days.
Louise loved her Lord and Savior and was a faithful member of West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc from 1961 until moving to Tupelo in 2017, serving the home bound ministry, missions and widows committees, the Young at Heart group and local food pantry, among others. She resided at the Traceway Retirement Community in Tupelo during her last seven years of life, becoming a cherished friend to the residents, staff and all who came and went. She was loved by her Traceway family and will be dearly missed. The family would like to thank her special caregivers, Mel Jenkins and Cindy Kennedy, for their loving service during the last few months.
Louise is survived by her daughter Rosanne Daniels Roberts of Tupelo and her husband, Tim Roberts; grandchildren John Daniel Roberts (Ali), Carson Heath Roberts and Grace Anne Roberts; and great grandson John Noah Roberts. She also had two stepdaughters, Cherilyn Steadman and Merrillyn Alexander and children. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Noel Brady Carson, Jr.; her aunt and uncle who raised her, Bob and Lora Stevenson; her second husband and father to Rosanne, Theron Burr Daniels; and first husband, Oakley Harris.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., with Dr. David Hamilton officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Private burial will be in the Pontotoc Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House at 159 W. Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801 or West Heights Baptist Church, 328 W. Oxford Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863.
Browning Funeral Home is honored to assist the Daniels family.
Condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com.
