Ellen Elizabeth Carland, of Mills River, NC died peacefully at her home on Sunday afternoon, February 19, 2023. She was born on Saturday, September 4, 1937, in Miami, Florida; and was the youngest child of the late Harold C. and Gertrude M. (Sanders) Costello.
Mrs. Carland was a 1955 graduate of the Etowah School and attended Western Carolina College. As the former Ellen Elizabeth Costello, in October 1958, she married her loving husband, of 59 years, Mr. Max L. Carland, Jr. She was a wife, mother and homemaker; a business manager for the family farming operations. In the early 1980’s, she worked for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) serving the Western NC farming community until her retirement. Mrs. Carland was very active in the Mills River community; a founding and life-long member of the Mills River Fire and Rescue Auxiliary and was an active volunteer for the startup of the Mills River Library and integral team member in the formation process for the Mills River Township. She was a faithful and devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic church in Brevard, NC.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughters, Karen Ann (Carland) Saucier and her husband, Donald of Clemson, SC and Cynthia Elaine “Cindy” of Mills River, NC; one brother, Robert C. Costello and his wife, Gladys of Etowah, NC. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Mackenzie and Chance; five great-grandchildren, Dakota, Tanner, Sophia, Mitchell and Madelynn; two devoted sisters-in-law, Delette Carland and Glenda Hill Carland both of Mills River, NC.
In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Max she is preceded in death by her son, Anthony Eugene “Tony” and three brothers, Ralph A. Woodson, James A. Costello and Thomas Costello.
A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Carland will be eleven o’clock Saturday morning, February 25, 2023, in the Church Street Funeral & Cremation Chapel, with Father Shawn O’Neal officiating. Burial will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park. The family wishes to invite all to a Funerary reception to be held at the Church Street location following the committal service.
Memorial contributions may be offered in memory of Mrs. Carland to the Mills River Fire and Rescue, 121 School House Road, Mills River, NC 28759 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Ellen will be forever missed by her loving family and many dear friends. May God Grant Her Eternal Rest.
Arrangements are in the care of Church Street Funeral & Cremation, 125 South Church Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina, 28792, 828.309.0103.
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