Carol Annette (Tait) Michelson was born on September 8th, 1938, in Des Moines, Iowa, to John Kenerson Tait and Wilma Caroline Chapman. As a young infant, her parents moved to San Antonio, Texas, where her father had his own radio program that was broadcast across the country.

Within 18 months, they had moved to Hollywood, California, where both her parents were employed by the USO Shows. Due to her father’s health, they moved to Port Angeles, Washington, where extended family lived. Her father passed away when she was just six years old.

Carol attended grade school and graduated from high school in Washington state. At age 16 in her senior year, she was in a horrific car accident, from which she barely survived. She moved to Iowa to fully recover and be cared for by her maternal grandparents.

She married Glen Martin Michelson on Easter Sunday in April 1957 in Des Moines, Iowa. Over the next several years, they had four children, Cindy, Dan, Cheryl, and Sheila. In September 1968, she became a single mother and raised her family in northern Iowa.

In 1978, she had an offer to move to Greenville, Texas to be the general manager of the local Ramada Inn. That was the move that pulled the rest of the family southward. She left the hotel business, and became an office administrator for a real estate firm there until early 1990. She then moved to Oklahoma City when her first grandson Nathan was born. By 2003, she had retired from corporate life and moved to east Texas to care for her two grandsons Ian and Dylan. She remained there until late 2009, when she returned to Oklahoma City to officially retire at the age of 71.

Carol was devoted to her children, making personal sacrifices to ensure they were raised with unconditional love, understanding, and faith. Her faith was a vital component to a life well lived. While working for World Neighbors she joined a mission trip to Honduras. Carol enjoyed life, loved to laugh, often at her own antics. She enjoyed singing throughout her entire life; whether for performances in her younger years, or in the church choirs at Ore City United Methodist Church and at Crossing Community Church. As a consummate optimist, she could often be heard saying “Everything works out for the best!” She was a voracious reader, loved to travel, and spend time with her grandsons. She was delighted to welcome her first great-grandson Wyatt in April 2026.

Carol passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on June 8, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is survived by her daughter Cindy Fairchild (Pat) of Edmond, OK, Dan Michelson (Ben) of Oklahoma City, OK, Cheryl Engelmann (Larry) of Oklahoma City, OK, and Sheila Throckmorton of Ore City, Texas. Carol was also survived by her four grandsons, whom she cherished dearly. They are Nathan Fairchild (Courtney) of Dallas, Texas, Logan Englemann (Margo) of Oklahoma City, OK, Ian Throckmorton (Gabby) of Davenport, Iowa, and Dylan Throckmorton of Denton, Texas. Great-grandson Wyatt Throckmorton of Davenport, Iowa. She is survived by her sister, Christie Hardy (Dave) from Lacy, Washington, her nieces, numerous friends and colleagues.

The family wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Quail Ridge Assisted Living and Legacy Family Hospice. With special appreciation to Victoria, Z, Leah, Nikita, and Emily, all who provided compassionate and loving care to our mother.

To Irma and Alan McIntyre thank you for your friendship and love for our mother. She loved your many adventures together. With great appreciation to Maryann Manning for being such tender caregiver and source of spiritual strength to both Mom and our family. Pat Fairchild she loved you as a son, thank you for everything.

Celebration of Life
Carol’s Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, June 18th, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Crossings Community Chapel, 14600 N Portland, Oklahoma City, OK.