Carla Modene McCarty was born on November 2nd, 1943 in Long Beach, California to Floyd and Gladys McCarty. Carla was the only child they had. The family lived in the Los Angeles , California area in Lynwood and Monterey Park. Carla attended elementary, high school and community college in the LA area where she received her Associate Degree.
When Carla was 25 years of age in 1968, she decided to move to the San Francisco Bay Area to live with her Aunt and Uncle in Fremont, California. She worked as a legal secretary at a law office in San Jose, California for many years. Carla became a born-again Christian while living in Fremont and faithfully served God for the remaining years of her life.
In 1971, Carla met her future husband, Don Ashlock, at a church camp meeting in Santa Cruz, California. It was love at first sight, especially for Don. So after courting each other for about 7 months, they were married on March 2nd, 1972 in Fremont.
On May 2nd, 1973, Carla’s first child, Derek Duke Ashlock, was born. Carla was so happy to be a mother. Then on May 8th, 1976, a beautiful little girl, Dena Simone Ashlock, was born. Carla wanted a boy and a girl and again was so happy that her wishes came true. Very soon afterward, on February 17th, 1978, Zachary Grant Ashlock was born. He was a very big boy who came into the world weighing almost 11 pounds. All three children were born at the Washington General Hospital in Fremont.
While living in Fremont, Carla learned how to play the piano and organ so she could play for the church services. This would lead her to play for many years in the church in Fremont and in Redmond as well as around her house. She was so thrilled to be able to buy a large Hammond organ that has been in her house up until now.
Late in 1978, Carla moved with her husband and family to the Pacific Northwest, living first in Bellevue, Washington before settling in Redmond. Carla loved living and working in Redmond where she lived for 43 years. Carla was a homemaker for her three children until they were grown before returning to work as a playground monitor for the Lake Washington School District and then worked for WC Financial. All three of Carla’s children attended the same schools in Redmond.
Carla became a grandmother on February 5th, 2001, when her first grandson, Landon Dean Thompson was born. Then a granddaughter, Danika Carmel Thompson, was born on March 11th, 2005. Following Danika’s birth, another grandson, Mason Duke Ashlock, was born sixteen days later on March 27th, 2005. Finally, on June 15th, 2006, a second granddaughter, Morgan Taylor Ashlock, was born. Carla loved her grandchildren so much.
Carla loved Italy so very much for many years. She even wanted to go there as a missionary worker before she met Don. So after retiring along with her husband in early 2010, they were able to take two trips to Italy, one in September of 2010 followed by another trip in 2014. To make sure that she could communicate with the Italian people, she took Italian language lessons at Bellevue College. She was very fluent so she had no problem while in the country. Carla was so happy to get to go to Italy and see all the sights that she had read about for so many years.
Carla was a property manager from 1999 until 2024. She did such a great job of managing her properties. She was able to build a portfolio of rental houses in Redmond and Woodinville, and owned a farm in Burlington, Washington. This was her passion in life and she did it with joy and happiness.
Carla was full of love for God and friends until her passing on March 21st, 2024.
She is survived by her husband Don, her children Duke (Felicia), Dena (Dave), Zachary, step-daughter Colleen Ashlock, and grandchildren Landon, Danika, Mason, and Morgan. She is also survived by Colleen’s son, John Cook, and great grandchildren Elle Jo and Chayse Cook.
Carla will be missed so much by her family and the many others who knew her. She is waiting for the day when the family can all be together again.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CedarLawns-Washington.com for the family.
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