She was the 1st of 4 daughters born to William C. Killian and Bobbie Hamilton Killian. Mom grew up on ranches in New Mexico. Her father was a cowboy and her mom had been a school teacher. Mom loved riding horses with her dad and helping out on the ranch with animals. She attended Hatchita School where she met Billy Wayne Carroll and married November of 1959.
After her divorce, she and her three boys moved to Abilene, TX where she met Tim Hughes. They had a daughter, Casey in 1972.
Ezell and the kids moved to Taft, CA in 1972 where she worked at Colony Kitchen on the I-5. She loved working there and the many people she would meet. Mom loved her church family at Trinity Baptist Church and made many lifelong friends there.
At 35, she began to lose her eyesight and decided to attend Taft College where she earned her AA degree in business. Her sister Billy Dee told her about the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. In1985 she became a blind vendor, 1st in San Diego at Cal-Trans, then O.C. Sills DHS building in Bakersfield, IRS building in Fresno, ending her BEP career at the Coast Guard base in San Diego, where she decided to retire. She also served on the Randolph Shepard Act committee. She made many lifelong friends through her years at BEP and loved the program and her work.
She loved to listen to books on tape, music, shopping and yard selling. Our mom never knew a stranger and loved to talk to anyone and everyone. She loved her children, family and friends, but oh how she loved Jesus. We can only imagine the celebration she is having in heaven.
Ezell is preceded in death by her parents, Bill & Bobbie Killian. She is survived by her four children. Son, David Carroll and his wife Elaine; son James (Beau) Carroll; son, Michael Carroll and wife Pat; daughter Casey Knaak and husband Christopher. Her 3 sisters; Billy Dee Cummins and husband Tom; Judy and husband Sam; Roxana Killian. 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Please visit www.wordenchapel.com to leave the family any condolences. Arrangements are under the direction of Palm Memorial Worden Chapel, Lori Whatley, Funeral Arranger.
