Cheryl always supported Mike at his piano recitals every year and was thrilled when their daughter Merrie started singing at them. Merrie sang two beautiful songs at Cheryl’s funeral and Mike accompanied her. It was so special and I could see tears coming from people in the congregation.
Cheryl’s adopted daughter spoke at the funeral and gave such an outstanding talk. It made me want to be a better person. I was so glad to see old friends who used to be in the Lakeside 6th ward and sit with two of our daughter’s. Afterwards we went out to eat at the Black Bear Diner which was very yummy. GW and I had a great time eating with Jessie, Julie and Coleton!
Here is Cheryl’s obituary.
Cheryl Ann Higginson LeBaron Christensen Higginson (again) Carson
Our “dear, kind, sweet, beautiful mother,” wife, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Cheryl Carson, passed away in her home on October 16, 2022, at the age of 71, from acute respiratory failure with the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born December 29, 1950, in Nampa, Idaho, to John Detton Higginson and Merle Dean Harris Higginson.
Cheryl, also known as “Cherrie” to her family, attended Nampa schools, graduating from Nampa High School in 1969. Being valedictorian of her senior class and extremely competent in typing and shorthand, she was nominated Idaho’s Future Business Leader of America, and soon thereafter she placed runner up in the national competition in Dallas, Texas. She was later informed that she would have won, had she not told the judges that all she wanted to be was a mother.
At age 12, her parents gave her a small, clasped diary for Christmas, beginning her lifelong obsession with and devotion to journal writing. She divided each page of that first diary in half, so she could use it for two years instead of just one. She completed 122 large volumes of journals during her lifetime.
Cheryl read hundreds and hundreds of books–mostly religious, inspirational, and motivational–and recorded the title, author, and general impressions of each book in the backs of her journals, until the journal writing and the list of books met. Then she would begin another volume.
One day In her late 20s she was praying at the kitchen sink for more speaking opportunities when the phone rang. It was the Gospel Doctrine teacher asking if she could substitute for him for the next three weeks. This opportunity to share her wit and wisdom was the answer to her prayer, beginning her lifelong dream of speaking and writing. She spoke at hundreds of Church-sponsored youth and single adult conferences in 13 states and was a presenter at Brigham Young University Campus Education Week in 1981 and 1982. From the speaking came over 50 feature articles in the then Utah County Journal, many guest appearances on K-Star radio’s “Talk of the Town,” and eventually many books and booklets on such diverse subjects as dating, chastity, marriage, forgiveness, adversity, abortion, abuse and living debt free.
Cheryl was an avid seamstress and crocheter, making literally thousands of baby booties, afghans, doll dresses, and durable, double-knit polyester pants with coordinating tops for the Church’s humanitarian projects. After she discovered yard sales, her number of donations increased. She loved to mass produce, sort, and organize the items for donation. Her project for the last several years was to make crocheted baby blankets, which she happily donated to hospital women’s centers in Utah and Salt Lake counties for grieving mothers. Each blanket included a copy of a handwritten note of empathy and consolation.
Cheryl was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in all of its organizations. She especially loved being a Primary music leader several times, teaching children to memorize songs, while learning Gospel principles.
Cheryl is survived by her husband of 31 years, Mike Carson of Lindon; children, Travis LeBaron of Grants Pass, Oregon; Stephanie LeBaron Lee (Vincent) of Rogue River, Oregon; Allison LeBaron of Las Vegas, Nevada; David LeBaron of Boise, Idaho; Merrie Carson Hansen (Austin) of Lehi, Utah; and Evan Carson (Megan) of American Fork, Utah; five step children, Micheal David Carson (Jian-ping) of Manila, Philippines; Claire Carson Uncapher (Michael) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Andrew L. Carson (Katie) of Hudson Falls, New York; Tyler Carson (Brandi) of Clifton Park, New York; and Scott Carson of Winchester, Virginia; 20 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Mike Higginson (Becky) of Rexburg, Idaho; Timothy Higginson (Bonnie) of Pocatello, Idaho; Tamara Howell (Ken) of Bountiful, Utah; and her former husband, Daniel LeBaron of Orem, Utah. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and four brothers: Dennis, Carol, Lynn, and David Higginson; and her former husband, Kay Christensen.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Lindon First Ward meetinghouse at 56 East 600 North, with the funeral service beginning in the chapel at 11:00 a.m. The proceedings will be live-streamed at Utah Valley Mortuary’s website: www.utahvalleyfuneral.com and will remain there permanently for future viewing.
Interment will take place immediately following the funeral service at the Lindon City Cemetery, 600 North 200 East. Please accept our gift of Cheryl’s books to share with your friends and families. Take as many copies as you would like.
Please click on the following link to view Cheryl's service via livestream:
https://my.gather.app/remember/cheryl-carson
Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.
