Lila Carr

Lila Lee Carr, 87, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at her home in Fishers, IN. She was born September 4, 1935 in Charleston, WV to Millie and Joseph Spencer.

Lila had a very modest upbringing in Charleston. While in school, Lila always loved geography and looking at maps and the globe and dreaming of far away places. Her dreams came true upon meeting James H. Carr (Jim). Jim was an NFL player at the time and then an NFL coach with a career spanning more than 40 years. That lifestyle allowed Lila to live in more than 15 different homes all over the United States as well as visit the world.

Lila had the gift of hospitality and was such a generous person who made friends all over the US in her travels and moves. She was the heart and soul of the family as Jim worked long hours in the NFL with incredible stress and responsibility. Her life as a homemaker touched everyone who knew her including her children and extended family, neighbors, church friends, and football friends. Lila was loved by all. Lila particularly loved the mountains with the Appalachians and the Great Smokey Mountains being her favorite. She enjoyed exploring them all her life.

In her grade school years, Lila attended the Salvation Army Church with her neighbors. That’s where she learned about Jesus and gave her life to him. Her Christian faith was always a part of her, but after becoming a wife and mother, Lila rededicated her commitment to Christ and became involved in church wherever they lived. Her faith and church life gave Lila comfort and purpose in her older age and contributed to Jim accepting Christ at 62 years old.

Lila is preceded in death by her parents Millie and Joe Spencer, husband Jim, and her brother Oval. She is survived by her 2 children, Ken (Priscilla) and Gwen (Jon) and 7 grandchildren: Spencer (Hailey), Kristina (Dalton), Ben, James, Robert, Cynthia and Lila. And one great grandchild, Bella Rose.

In Lieu of flowers please give to the Salvation Army where Lila’s faith life began, or Samaritan’s Purse in honor of her love of Billy Graham, helping others in need, and her love of the mountains where Billy Graham made his home.