Donald Neal Carson

Donald Neal Carson, 68, passed away peacefully in his Rydal, GA home on September 30, 2021. His devoted wife of 48 years, Joy McCauley Carson, was by his side as God led him Home. Don was born in Atlanta, GA on March 24, 1953 to the late Alfred Lamar and Mary Frances Matthews Carson and is survived by five siblings, Alfred Lamar Carson Jr., John Kevin Carson, Brian Keith Carson, Kelsey Jordan Carson and Mary Catherine Barks. Don is survived by two children, Allyn Elizabeth Carson and Matthew Ryan Carson (and wife, April), as well as five grandchildren, Allayna Lynn Roeser, John “Jack” Franklin Roeser IV, Salera Kieran Hendrick, Kate Nicole Carson and Emma Caroline Carson. Don served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant in field artillery for the 1st/35th Battalion at Fort Stewart, GA after graduating from UGA with a Master’s Degree in Psychology. He went on to obtain a Doctorate degree in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University. Don had a forty year career in counseling and mental health therapy working with many colleges, mental health facilities and hospitals before starting his private practice serving the Jasper and Cartersville, GA areas. His work as a healer was perfectly suited to his personality due to his depth of compassion, understanding and an innate desire to help others which called him to do this work and do it well. Don helped countless children, teens, adults and families with his guidance. Don, Dad, and Doc-Doc was a tickler, a hugger, a guitar player, a singer, and a shoulder to cry on (he always had a handkerchief in his pocket for you). He loved and served with no limits and will be missed by every life he touched. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at the Pine Log United Methodist Church in Rydal, GA on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at noon. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Collaborations for Resiliency in Children, Inc, the non-profit counseling center Don served in Jasper, GA. Tax deductible donations can be made through their website http://collaborationscounseling.org or mailed to Attention: Provider Support, Bear Cottage, 2404 Refuge Road, Jasper, GA 30143.