On August 29, 1960, Carmen was born to Wilkin (Bill) Mead, Jr. and Johnnie Ruth (Fowler) Mead in Jacksonville, Florida. Due to her father’s occupation in the military and her love of spontaneity and adventure, Carmen lived in a number of places, including The Philippines, Germany, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Maryland. She ultimately settled in Arkansas and built a family with her late ex-husband and best friend, Bruce Morgan. Together they raised two daughters, Lauren and Jordan. Carmen had a number of occupations in her lifetime, her favorite of which was staying home with her kids. This allowed her to passionately tackle cleaning and yard work, which continued to be two of her favorite activities until the day she passed. She left this world on a beautiful spring day, with fresh flowers in her planters and potting soil beneath her nails. Her other hobbies included decorating every square inch of her home (as well as the homes of anyone who would let her) and playing with her grandsons. She absolutely adored dancing with Bellamy and snuggling with Emrys, and, when she had the energy, chasing and rough-housing with them.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved brother, David Mead; her sister, Binka Downing; and her late ex-husband, Bruce Morgan. In her final months, she demonstrated tremendous joy at the prospect of reuniting with those she’d loved and lost, though she leaves so many to grieve the loss of a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Carmen is survived by her daughters, Lauren and son-in-law, Caleb Edwards, and Jordan Morgan; her grandsons, Bellamy and Emrys Edwards; her siblings, Twila Young, John Mead, Barbara Cecil, and Idetta and her husband, Mike Curtis. She also leaves behind her beloved extended family and friends, some of whom were just like family to her, and her sweet fur baby, Charlie.
We would like to extend a special thanks to her oncologist, Omar Atiq, for giving her a miraculous few extra years with her family. Without him, she would have never met her grandbabies. We would also like to thank her friends who have stuck by her side through her most trying of years.
Carmen’s life will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home and Memorial Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She has requested that this be a casual, black and white celebration of her full and crazy life, though you are welcome to wear whatever makes you comfortable.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to send potted plants or donate to the ASPCA in memory of her.
