Mary Ellen Carson

Mary Ellen Carson, of Dahlonega, passed away early in the morning, November 14, 2023.

Born September 1, 1931, Mary Ellen was the only child of Dwight and Sarah Webb. A native Atlantan, Mary Ellen grew up on the south side of Atlanta, graduating from Atlanta Girls High School in 1949 and following up at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA in 1950.

In 1952, Mary Ellen married the love of her life, Earl Carson, Jr. As members of the Dunwoody United Methodist Church, Mary Ellen and Earl made their home in Sandy Springs, GA. Here they raised their three sons, Jimmy, Steve and Mark, and a menagerie of pets, including two horses in the backyard. After becoming an empty nester, Mary Ellen began her career as a computer programmer in the marketing research industry to support what she referred to as her “horse habit.” An accomplished equestrian, Mary Ellen travelled the Southeast showing Tennessee Walkers. She won countless ribbons and trophies, her proudest achievement being a win in the Show Pleasure Class at the world-recognized Celebration in Shelbyville, TN. After a brief respite from horses, Mary Ellen embraced her cowgirl spirit and took up
Cowboy Mounted Shooting at the age of 71. As a member of CMSA, Mary Ellen moved up to a Senior Level 3 shooter on her trusted steed, Danny Boy, and earned the affectionate nickname “Granny Oakley” or simply, “Granny”. An inspiration
to many, Granny participated in her last CMSA match shortly after her 90th birthday.

After retirement, Mary Ellen moved to the Flying Duck Horse Farm in Dahlonega, GA with her dear friends Brenda and Mike Duck. When not in the saddle, she spent some of her happiest hours there on her front porch with Annie in her lap,
having dinner with family and friends, playing UNO, Words with Friends, watching the horses graze and tracking the number of Canadian geese on the pond.

Mary Ellen is survived by her son Mark Carson, granddaughter, Kelly Carson Luzier (husband Jon), two grandsons, Reed and John Carson and two great-grandchildren, Judah and Isla Luzier.

Services will be held at Dahlonega Funeral Home, 20 Gibson Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533 on Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 PM.

If desired, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Georgia Equine Rescue League (GERL). Family and friends would like to thank the caregivers at Brickmont Assisted Living and Agape Hospice for their loving care and support.

Happy Trails, Cowgirl …until we meet again.