Loree Darnell Carswell
1946-2023
Loree Darnell Carswell, 76, was born on April 22, 1946 to her loving parents, Earl and Florice Gallion in Leesville, LA. Her sister Earlene asked her parents if she could help name her and they let her pick her middle name. Earlene chose Darnell after the famous female actress, Linda Darnell. Her middle name was what she would go by from that day forward.
Darnell was the youngest in her family. She loved to dance, sing and play the piano. While Darnell was in tap and ballet, she quickly rose to the top of her class and before she knew it, she was noticed by a talent scout and he was ready to help her become the next big starlet in Hollywood but her parents declined the offer.
Darnell’s family later moved to Texas where she attended South Houston High School and worked at Saks department store in Houston, Texas. While on vacation with her family in the summer of 1964 at the lake in Huntsville State Park she caught the eye of a handsome young man. Little did he know that this beautiful young lady had just gotten her hair done and did not want to get it wet which is why she was on a float in the lake instead of swimming. Despite every effort he took, she did not notice him back right away so he decided to take drastic measures. He made his way over to her and swam underneath the float and flipped her over. That handsome young man was Ken Carswell. One would think this would have ended badly for him but here we are and the rest is history. If you want to know how that story unfolded, ask Ken, he loves to tell it.
Ken and Darnell dated the rest of that summer in 1964. Ken joined the Marine Corp in June of 1965 and they were later married in December of 1965. Ken went on to fight in the Vietnam War and while he was away, they shared love letters with each other. Upon Kens return they decided it was time to start a family. They adopted a little girl named Nancy and a boy named Kenneth Ray. Several years later Darnell gave birth to their daughter Kimberly.
Darnell and Ken were married for 57 years. For a good part of those years, Darnell worked at State Farm Insurance in California and then in Arizona. In her free time when her kids were young, she loved to go camping, go to Disneyland every year and she loved herself some ice cream. Darnell later retired to help care for her grandson Caleb while her daughter Kimberly went back to work. She then opened an in home daycare and cared for other children as well.
Darnell was passionate about being involved in her church. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and worked in the nursery. She believed in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was confident in her relationship with him. She longed to meet him face to face and on January 16, 2023 Darnell peacefully entered the gates of Heaven. She will be missed immensely but we rest in the assurance that she is in our heavenly fathers’ arms.
She was proceeded in death by her mom and dad, Florice and Earl, Sister Earlene and brothers Reid and Billy. Left to cherish precious memories include her loving husband Ken, oldest daughter Nancy, son Ken and youngest daughter Kimberly; Grandchildren Halston Drew, Lauren Mae, Ashley, Caleb, Madeline and Ty. Great Grandchildren Everly and Oliver.
Services for Darnell were held Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Webb Family Cemetery, Grapeland TX. Interment Webb Family Cemetery , Grapeland, TX
Please leave online condolences at www.walkerandwalkerfh.com Walker & Walker Funerals and Cremations
