Archived Services

Neva Jean Carson
10-11-2020

Neva Jean Carson, 78, of Sioux Falls, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 11, 2020 at her home in the Primrose Retirement Community in Sioux Falls, SD. Neva was born on July 9, 1942 in Madison, SD, the daughter of Harley and Edna (Arke) Leighton.

She grew up in Madison, SD, attended Madison High School and graduated in 1960. She was united in marriage to Lyman Dee Carson on September 30, 1960 at the Methodist Church in Madison, SD. The couple first lived in Madison, Le Mars, IA and then Flandreau, SD where they made their home for 50 years before retiring to Sioux Falls in 2004. 

Neva was the first female auctioneer in the state of South Dakota in 1972 and one of two known female auctioneers at the time in the United States. She worked as a professional auctioneer and real estate broker for over 30 years. Upon retirement she continued to work at Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota just to keep herself busy. She was a devout listener of KXRB and loved classic country music. She enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing life as much as possible. She spent time reading, writing songs, singing and working on puzzles. She continued writing poetry through her entire life including recent musings about being quarantined during the pandemic of 2020. 

Neva is survived by two sons: Alan (Elizabeth Weber) Carson of Muskegon, MI, and Bradley (Belinda Borges) Carson of Murfreesboro, TN; six grandchildren: Benjamin Carson of Muskegon, MI, Julia (Jose) Gonzalez of Muskegon, MI, Riley Carson of Bowling Green, OH, Kaleigh Carson of Ottawa Hills, OH, Etienne (Marina Orlova) Turner of Charlotte, NC and Chantel Turner of Tampa, FL; two great-grandsons: Mateo Gonzalez of Muskegon, MI, Etienne Turner of Charlotte, NC; one brother: Jerry (Barbara Gacke) Leighton of Sacramento, CA; one sister Annette (James) DeLay of Egan, SD; and two sisters-in-law: Monica (Hansen) Lockamy of McGregor, TX and Lorene (Wahl) Cavigielli of Huron, SD; as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 58 years; two brothers: Russell Leighton and Duane Leighton; one sister: Nyla (Leighton) Cavigielli; one brother-in-law: James Cavigielli; and one sister-in-law Martha (Boyda) Leighton.

Memorials may be directed to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. 

A Committal Service will be held Saturday October 31 at 11:30 AM at Graceland Cemetery in Madison, SD.