Carolyn J. Wilson, 88, of Carlyle, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Carlyle Healthcare.
She was born in Dowell, Illinois, on September 12, 1937, to Howard Allen Porter and Gladys Edith (Hartley) Porter.
Survivors include her children, Thomas Brett (Marla) Wilson of Centralia, Robin (Douglas) Gormann of Centralia, Johna (Wayne) Albritton of Louisville, Kentucky and Allen Wilson of Centralia; grandchildren, Sarah Albritton, Houston (Rachel) Albritton, Marah (Michael) Elliott, Kelsey Wilson, Madison (Caleb) Halfacre, Abigale (Nick) Wilson, Emily Wilson, Traci (Brad) Mayfield, Douglas (Tanya) Gormann, Natalie (John) Albritton, Nicole (Scott) Staton and Melissa (James) Murrany; great grandchildren, Morgan & Sawyer Elliott, Ellis & Wilson Albritton, Charli & Avery Reynolds, Walker Halfacre, Brianna (Jett) Reed, Brandon Mayfield, Kylie Gormann, Cade Gormann, Gracey Gormann, Jackson Staton and Cruz Tinder; brother, Mel Porter of Decatur and several nieces and nephews.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Gladys (Hartley) Porter, a grandson, Todd âTJâ Gormann, and her sister-in-law, Sandra Porter.
Carolyn Jane Wilson grew up on a farm in Dowell, Illinois, where she lived with her mother and father. She also lived with her big brother, Mel Porter, whom she was so fond of. Her family moved to Elkville, Illinois, where she graduated from high school. She married Tom Kell Wilson in 1959 and moved to Centralia. She dedicated her life to raising and taking care of her family. She was an active member of the Toastmasters Club and a volunteer as a Sub Deb sponsor and at Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. She also enjoyed playing cards, playing the organ at home and church, sewing, having her morning coffee, spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, with whom she loved playing video games and having them stay on the weekends. She enjoyed her dogs, having a Spitz growing up and later a white Jack Russell named Angel. She was known for skipping a meal and only eating dessert, which was usually a piece of pie.
Funeral services for Carolyn will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Hillcrest Lakeside Chapel in Centralia with Pastor Steve Upchurch officiating. She will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Park after the services. A visitation for family and friends to gather will be held that day from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shop With A Cop or the Centralia Humane Society and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Carolyn’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Carolyn Wilson, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Carolyn will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
