On May 28, 1982, in New Boston, Texas, Mildred and Michael O'Hair along with siblings, Dena, Michael, Shane and Brian, welcomed into their home, a beautiful little girl they named Carla Faye. She immediately filled their lives with happiness and a whole lot of activity. She and her friends kept everyone on their toes.
On July 3, 2013, after a four-wheeler accident, the Lord and Carla's parents welcomed her into her new heavenly home.
Carla grew up loving to play all kinds of sports, especially softball, and she loved to cheer on her Texas Rangers. She enjoyed fishing, camping and just about anything outdoors. It was traditional in her family to have nicknames. She was lovingly named "Carla Pot Pie." All of her family and friends have enjoyed all the names she would come up with for them.
She first came to Alaska in 1997 for a family reunion in Delta Junction and to visit her brother, Brian, who was stationed at Fort Wainwright.
In 1999, at age 17, she traveled alone back to Fairbanks. It took two weeks by Greyhound bus to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and then by van to Fairbanks. She never rode in a bus again. After finishing school, she graduated from Lathrop High School in 2000.
Art was another important part of her life. She attended UAF to pursue her love of art. She had painted several pieces for family and friends. Color and texture were a real part of how she lived life.
On July 21, 2007, she married the love of her life, Jason Converse. They have a wonderful 5-year-old son, Noah Clayton. They attend Radiant Church in Fairbanks. Together they enjoyed watching and helping coach Noah's T-Ball team this summer. Noah shares her love of painting, so they gathered rocks when they went fishing and they would paint them together. Carla and Jason also enjoyed playing on bowling and softball leagues together.
But, by far, her favorite activity was playing on a pool league with all the friends she cherished most. She and her team went to Las Vegas to play in the regional competitions there. She was a very good player. Carla was a great bartender. She even created a new drink she called the "Carla Kool Aide."
Carla's contagious smile and laugh and love of life enriched everyone around her. One could not help but love her.
Carla is survived by her husband, Jason Converse; and son, Noah, of North Pole; her sister, Dena Maldonado, of Clarksville, Tenn; her brother, Michael O'Hair, of New Boston, Texas; her brother, Shane O'Hair, of Corsicana, Texas; her brother, Brian O'Hair, of Clarksville, Tenn.; her parents-in-law, Ken and Julie Converse; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeremy and Hannah Converse, Jonathan and Amity Converse, and Joshua Converse.
Thank you to everyone for your overwhelming outpouring of love and support and prayers. We could not have managed so far without you.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Bethel Church, 5.6 Mile Farmers Loop. Loren Morrall will officiate.
Memorial contributions can be made to Carla Converse, Mt. McKinley Bank, 1380 University Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99709. For condolences and information, call (907)-474-1770.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Myra L Cables.
Robert and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family. Our connection with you is through your mom and dad and our time at Bethel Church. May the Lord hold you and surround you with His love during this time. Robert and Cappy Toporowski
July 16, 2013
So hard to believe... I just talked to you on the phone about you playing in the Reed softball game and naturally, since I was your favorite Reed cousin, you was gonna be on my team!! Man, we shared some laughs as we always did!! I guarantee you that first game we WILL have a moment of silence and you will have a spot in the field on my team cousin!! I love you Carla!! Tell Uncle Micky, Aunt Mildred and momma "Hello" and "I love them" for me!! I'll see y'all again one day and we can swap some wild yarns!!!
Faron Reed
July 14, 2013
I will miss you cuz, RIP Carla
Bill Young
July 13, 2013
Carla, thank you for the joy you brought to our lives.
Eileen Lee
July 11, 2013
Sweet, sweet Carla, your life was a light to many and your smile brightened our hearts and our lives. We are blessed as a family to have your footprint on our hearts. R.I.P. my dear cousin.
Terri O'Shea
July 11, 2013
You were a candle that brought light and happiness and fun, to the many peoples life path that you had crossed. You will be missed, however you will remain in our hearts forever. I was honored to be your friend, and thank the Lord that our paths crossed.
kevin hickman
July 11, 2013
My heart still aches from missing you and it always will! But filling the emptiness, I have so many fun memories and fondness for your spirit of light and love. Impossible not to smile around you. You were a wonderful mom and wife. I'm know Jason is struggling at this time but he is such a great dad that you left Noah in a most loving situation. So, don't worry, my little pot pie. We will take care of them! I U, sweetness!
Pam Kehres
July 11, 2013
I am going to miss that sweet smile, that joy for life, and that love for family and friends that Carla lived. She was just like her mother!! All my love and prayers to Jason & Noah. May God bring comfort to you both and may your memories bring you peace.
Karen Robinson
July 11, 2013
Jason and Noah you are in our prayers! We love ya'll and Carla was such a blessing to my family. We enjoyed ya'll coming to visit so much, sorry it ended with Crimsynn in the ER, but all was ok. Carla was such a sweet young lady and I cannot express how much she is going to be missed. Please do not forget we are your family too and want you to visit anytime and keep us posted on Noah and his growing up. We love you and call or come see us anytime. Stuart, Tina, and Crimsynn Dean from ALABAMA!
Dean Family
July 11, 2013
I have so many great memories of carla over the years. Im going to miss her laugh and smile. carla had a good heart and soul about her that people who knew her would agree. She was a good wife to jason and a better mother to noah. Im going to miss our pool nights and hearing carla say horhay !!! " why havent you put your quarters up so you can get a practice game in before we start. Im going to miss our good talks and playing pool in her house till 3:00a.m , having to work the next day and wakeing up with a note by my pillow saying " I made you a lunch and dont forget it this time". I could go on and on about my good friend carla. I know she is a angel in heaven and one day I hope to see her agian. I will never forget you my friend. I will bring my daughter over so noah and roma can play together. Love always and r.i.p my old friend.
Jorge Infantes
July 10, 2013
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;
Love leaves memories no one can steal.
May God bless your soul Carla
Nick Pardy
July 10, 2013
You were the youngest cousin in our Young family and was so fun to watch grow up. Your smiles were contagious! Thanks for loving and caring for people God brought into your life. We look forward to the amazing Young family reunion we will have together with you and the other members of our family God was relocated to Heaven.
Becky Young Maxwell
July 10, 2013
God carry her family threw....
Abigail carlson
July 10, 2013
Tammie Montalvo
July 10, 2013
Words cannot describe my most heartfelt sympathies for everyone who loved and knew Carla. She was an incredibly strong, talented, and excitingly fun individual. Unfortunately I didnt get to know Carla as well as many people in this guest book, but all of the times I did spend with her were fun and full of laughter. Jason and Noah had the great gift of her in their lives and it breaks my heart knowing she is gone. Please know that you have so many friends and family that love you and who will always be here for you.
Kindra Geis
July 10, 2013
We will miss your beautiful smile. You were taken far to soon, but I know you will be a guardian angel, looking after your family. RIP CARLA!
Bev & Marvin Shannon
July 10, 2013
Carla,
From the moment I meet you and your husband, I knew that my life would forever change. You were the type that always looked at a situation in a positive light. No matter what was going on in your life, you stopped everything in order to help fix others. I wish I could return the favor and fix this and have you back in our lives. But God has a plan for you, and with his will we find strength to get through this troubled times. You helped me through a rough time and recruited me onto your softball team which made everything perfect. Great new friends, great times, and unforgettable memories. I will cherish these times forever! We miss you Carla and we love you, until we meet again my god protect your family. I U Carla.
P.S.
Jason,
If you EVER need anything please let us know.
Much love brother!
William Bost
July 10, 2013
Always remember the wonderful smile & how she always made everything fun - Many great memories You will be missed but not forgotten -
Christine(Sierra) Skorjanc
July 10, 2013
Thoughts and prayers to Jason and the whole family.
Curt and Darla Ward
July 10, 2013
Carla, I barely had a chance to get to know you. The couple of months were amazing though. I never had so much fun and met so many great people. Your friends and family were amazing to me. Thank you for accepting me into your group of friends and letting me play softball with you. Will and I cherish those memories and they will always be held near and dear to our hearts. You are beautiful person Carla Converse. We love you!
jennifer carlson-bost
July 10, 2013
Carla's love and genuine care for people has inspired me to be a better Christian. I have been amazed at the number of people she has touched and the network of wonderful friends and family. She understood fellowship with others and how to live life at its fullest. I will dearly miss my sweetie pie. "Carlita, te amo con todo mi Corazon (Sweet Carla, I love you with all my heart)."
Brian O'Hair
July 10, 2013
Carla, your love for the game of pool was how I got to know you. You were a wonderful friend to me in a time that I never thought I would get through. It was your talks and prayers with me that kept me grounded. The world has lost one of the most amazing people it will ever know. Love you girl. DeeDooDoo
Ray Jordan
July 10, 2013
Even with not knowing you for a long amount of time, i'm very happy I got to know you for the time that I did. Your a great Mother, sister, wife and of course an awesome freind for MANY! I'm very sad we lost you so soon but happy there is no pain. Thank you for the freindship you did give me RIP Carla
Danielle Marquez-Kohloff
July 10, 2013
This is a beautiful and touching obituary. Whoever wrote it did a great job.
July 10, 2013
To my dear, sweet cousin, Carla. Although we were far apart in age, you were a bright light in our family. I will love and miss you.
Brenda Griffith
July 10, 2013
You were so much fun to play softball with. You were the life of the team. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to be in you'r life. You will be greatly missed.
Jenn Wells
July 10, 2013
My beautiful friend, you made everyone happy with your odd laugh, beautiful charisma, and the pure happiness about life that you carried around with you. You loved your son so much and he knew it. Life gets cut short to so many good ppl and I guess it was your time. God needed an awesome angle for someone;( I will never forget you nor will anyone. You are the koolaid girl;) love and miss you;)
Shawn Sheppard
July 10, 2013
Although you have left us, your friendship and love hasn't. I still miss seeing your face.
Jeff Russell
July 10, 2013
I will always remember you and the person you were.You made me laugh,and always had a beautiful smile on your face.I still can't believe you are gone.Just days before that you had text me and said I LOVE YOU!That is what you always said to everyone.You will be missed by so many people.R.I.P
irene Saenz
July 10, 2013
My friend Carla the first friend I made in Alaska.Im thankful to have known such a amazing person your leadership your smile your humor made life incredibly amazing. I love your face. Thank you for bieng my friend I am thankful for you for the time we had. life won't be the same without you... IU Jen
Jennifer McCloskey
July 10, 2013
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