Carol F. (Keister) Salisbury, 83, passed away Saturday, January 24th 2026 at her home.
Carol was born August 24, 1942 in Centralia IL, to Joe T. Keister and Leta F. (Kell) Keister. Her father was a pilot in WW2, their family moved to different locations, settling in south Georgia. Carol moved back to Centralia in her late teens to finish her education, where she met the love of her life, David Salisbury. They married September 1, 1961- a date chosen because it coincided with opening day of dove hunting season, to ensure David never forgot their anniversary.
Carol was known to have extensive knowledge in many areas of trivia, answering the Jeopardy questions before the contestants. She was an avid bridge player, was highly competitive in all cards and games- a trait she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Carol was passionate about football, loved parties with friends, and was known to play rock music in her car so loudly you could hear it well outside the car. She made yard work her daily “job”, because “anything worth doing, was worth doing well”. Carol’s sharp sense of humor, peppered with her sweet, silly giggles will be missed by all.
Carol is survived by her son: Lee (Fia) Salisbury of Munster, IN, and daughter: Donna (Bryan) Spears of Irvington, IL. She is also survived by her granddaughters: Allyson (Garrett) Daniels of Liberty, MO, Leslie (Daniel) Manuel of Murfreesboro TN; Chloe Salisbury and fiancé Neil Oberg of Hebron, IN and grandson: James Salisbury of Munster, IN, and great grandson Oliver Manuel of Murfreesboro, TN. Also surviving are her siblings: Joyce Early of Smyrna GA, Margaret Keister, Ruth Keister Pfaff and Tom Keister all of Thomasville, GA, and Beverly Keister of Panacea FL. She is also survived by several beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband David, her parents, her in-laws: Levi and Marian Salisbury, and several beloved sisters and brothers- in- law.
Per Carol’s wishes, graveside services will be held Sunday, Feb 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Animal Rescue of Southern IL 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 Carol’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.
