April 24, 1944 – September 3, 2023
Carlene Tisdale, 79 passed away peacefully September 3, 2023 in San Tan Valley, Arizona surrounded by her family. Carlene was born to Herbert Eugene and Merdia Neill in Paragould Arkansas April 24, 1944. Carlene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Verlon S. Neill, Sisters Cornellia May Novak, Lewaunnia Jean Neill and daughter Kellyn Jewell Penrod. Carlene is survived by her husband Donald Lee Tisdale and younger sister Linda Inez Probasco, 4 children Laurie Ann Nelson, Deisha Lorene Saul, Donald (Donnie) Tisdale Jr., Mike Mead; 11 Grandchildren Shandi BreeAnn Apaez, Brock Mitchell Penrod, Jace Tavyn Penrod, Mariah Shae Saul, Monica Lynn Burch, Vickie Skyler Saul, Donald (Trey) Tisdale III, Casandra Michelle Tisdale, Jerie Mead, Miriah Birtciel, Garrett Mead; 18 Great Grandchildren; Vincent Dushan Apaez, Dominic Valentine Apaez, Quora Jewell Penrod, Jaxson Wade Penrod, Kellyn Gail Penrod, Major Feltner, Landon Tisdale, Zachary Burch Jr., Marissa Mead, Jeremiah Mead, Emilee Birtciel, Steve Birtciel, Emilee Birtciel, Ethian Birtciel, Steven Birtciel, Sean Birtciel, Trace Mead, Ruby Mead.
Carlene lived in Show Low for over 50 years where she worked for Contel Telephone and Summit Medical Center before retiring in 2008. Don and Carlene began to spend the winters in San Tan Valley but continued to call Show Low home. Carlene’s main passion outside of her family was her service as the Omnibus for the 1404 Transportation Unit in support of the families whose spouses were deployed in Desert Storm. She took on this job to make it easier for the families to have a local point of contact. She organized care packages for the unit’s needs and made sure the packages got to the members of the 1404 unit during their deployment in the 1st Gulf War. Carlene continued her love and support for the members of the
U.S. military and first responders.
The family will be holding a Private Celebration of Life in Queen Creek on September 19, 2023. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in Carlene’s name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at T2T.org.
