Mary Louise Carlson

Mary Louise Carlson CHARLESTON - Louise Carlson, 83, died peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2024. 

Louise led a selfless life of devotion to her community and, most importantly, her family.

 Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Queens, Mary Louise was a 1959  Academy graduate. She attended Saint John’s University and worked in the admissions office.

Following her marriage to John Algot Carlson in 1963, she was a proud Navy wife, completing tours across the country, including Norfolk, Virginia; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California; Newport, Rhode Island; Jacksonville, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and Arlington, Virginia. Louise and John shared a remarkable almost 61 years of marriage, during which Louise proudly supported John’s naval career. She often felt her role as a Navy wife was one of her life’s most significant experiences. Not only was Louise the heart of her immediate family and extended Navy families, but Louise was also the heart of many community groups, including school art classes, parent-teacher associations, cub scout dens, boy scout troops, and athletic teams. 

She was a wonderful mother and attentive, supportive friend. She loved and was loved by her husband, John; son, John Jr.; son, James (Laura); grandchildren, Jack (22); Wallace (11); Robins (9); Eloise (7); and countless friends. 

A Funeral Mass for Louise will be held on June 20 at noon at Stella Maris Church on Sullivans’ Island. Internment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery, with the date to be determined.

Expressions of sympathy can be viewed at mcalister-smithfuneral.com 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.