Obituary of Carol Lynn Criswell

Carol Lynn Compton Criswell

April 6, 1945 – October 10, 2023

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Carol L. Criswell, a beloved daughter, wife, sister, mother, Nana, sister-in-love, Aunt, and friend, on October 10, 2023, at Park Senior Villas in Tucson, AZ. She left this world after a courageous and enduring battle with dementia, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on April 6, 1945, in Clovis, NM to Benjamin and Sylva (Pearce) Compton. She attended schools in Clovis, NM graduating from Clovis High School in 1963. She attended Eastern New Mexico State University in Portales, NM where she met and married Dennis Criswell, her husband of 58-years. She worked as a medical billing specialist for several different medical practices over the years. She officially retired in 1994 to be a full-time Nana, her favorite job ever!

She created a loving and nurturing home where she raised two children, instilling in them the values of compassion, empathy, and unconditional love. As a mother, Carol was not only a guiding light but also a best friend. She possessed a rare and beautiful quality that allowed her to be both a nurturing mother and a loyal confidante. She so loved being a mother that she constantly volunteered at her daughter’s schools as a Room Mom, PTA member, and in the library where she loved organizing and putting away the books. She loved the library so much that she started volunteering in the library at Marshall Elementary School when her oldest grandchild was in 2nd grade and continued for 30-years, long after she had grandchildren there.

She bowled in a bowling league for many years in Sioux City, IA as well as Tucson, AZ. Once she was retired and the grandchildren no longer lived close to her, she took up golf with a ladies league. She also became a ‘Rockhound’ through Pima Community College which grew her interest in all gems and minerals in the Southwestern Desert. She loved attending the Gem and Mineral Show in Tucson each year. If you ever saw her ‘jewelry and rock collection’, you knew how much she loved them.

Carol was a true beacon of faith and a testament to the grace of God. She lived her life with unwavering commitment to her Christian beliefs and was a devout member of Glendale Baptist Church in Sioux City, IA and Pantano Baptist Church in Tucson, AZ, where she attended services regularly and actively participated in various ministries. She served as a Deacon at both churches as well as serving on the Finance Committee at Pantano Baptist Church.

She was known not only for her dedication to her faith but also for her boundless love, compassion, and kindness. She touched the lives of all who knew her with her warm hug, cheerful smile, comforting words, and open heart. If you knew Carol, you know the magic of her hugs and how much she loved giving and receiving them. Her unconditional love and unwavering support were a constant source of comfort and inspiration, even as dementia gradually stole her memories.

Carol leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and devotion that will continue to inspire and guide us. She is survived by her children Kelly (Bobby) Garcia of Midland, TX and Kristi (Ward) Franz of Dakota Dunes, SD; grandchildren Ryan Criswell-Morse of Johnstown, CO, Emily (Josh) Taylor of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Erika Eckfeld (Matt DeVane) of Reno, NV; sister-in-loves Debby Compton of Midland, TX and Katie Steffen of Grand Rapids, MI; nieces Brittany (Gary) Williams and family of McKinny, TX and Brooke (Ben) Anderson and family of Midland, TX; and numerous friends and relatives who will forever hold her memory close to their hearts. She was preceded in death by her husband Dennis who passed on July 18 of this year, parents Ben & Sylva Compton and brother Steven Compton.

Though dementia may have taken her memory, it could never diminish her spirit. Carol maintained her sense of humor and her ability to bring smiles to the faces of those who cared for her. She was a reminder that the essence of a person is not just in their memories but in the love, kindness, and connections they make throughout their lifetime. We would like to offer a huge THANK YOU to Trudy Busch who was Carol’s advocate since Dennis’ passing when the family was not able to be near. Though not biologically family, Trudy and her husband John are now family by choice.

A celebration of Carol's life and her reunion with her Lord and loved ones will be held at Pantano Baptist Church in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

In her memory, we will celebrate the life of Carol, a woman whose faith and compassion knew no bounds. Though she has left this earthly plane, Carol's spirit and legacy will forever shine as a guiding light for all who were fortunate enough to know her. We take solace in the knowledge that she now rests in the loving arms of her Savior, fully restored, free from pain and suffering, and surrounded by eternal peace.