Carla Lee Brashear

Carla Lee Brashear passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, in Bentonville, Arkansas. Born on November 6, 1936, in Pineville, Missouri, she lived a life marked by compassion and steadfast support for those she loved.

Raised in Pineville by her parents, Walter and Dorothy (Mickelson) Smith, Carla excelled in her studies. She graduated from Pineville High School, attended Junior College in Joplin, Missouri, and earned her master’s degree from SMS College in Springfield. It was at SMS that she met Donald Layne Brashear. They married in 1957 in Pineville and shared a marriage filled with love and cherished memories.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, and her sister Alois Kennedy. She is survived by her children, Andy Brashear (Terri) of Jay, Oklahoma, Kimberly Dawn DesAutels (Marc) of Lanagan, Missouri, and Kelly Walters (Shane) of Rogers, Arkansas; her grandchildren, April Wright, Hayley Spencer, Dusty Brashear, Kelsey Martinez, Ceara Fair, Jordan Desautels, Zachary Desautels, Seth Walters, and Layne Meloy; and her great-grandchildren, Ripley, Rainy, Renn, Charlotte, Kenadee, Jaxon, Landyn, Mikaela, June, Nash, Ellis, Finn, and Murphy.

She found deep joy in quilting, creating beautiful pieces that will be treasured by generations, and in reading mystery novels. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family. Her warmth, wisdom, and quiet strength will remain with all who knew her.