Billie “Miss Billie” MacPherson Carleton, 83, formerly of Southeast Kansas, died Thursday, November 20, 2008, at her Lake Crystal, Minn., home.

She was born Aug. 8, 1925, in Wilson County to Silas Oliver and Jennie Garner MacPherson. She graduated from Fredonia High School in 1942 and Pittsburg State University with a teaching degree. She was a freelance journalist.

She married Robert Carleton in Fredonia in 1946. In 1979 she married Willis Johnston in Oklahoma City, Okla. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include three sons, Stuart Carleton, Mankato, Minn., Bruce Carleton, New Ulm, Minn., and Douglas Carleton, Hager City, Wis.; three daughters, Susan Jirele, Waseca, Minn., Margaret Franzen, Edina, Minn., and Jacqueline Noy, Vernon Center, Minn.; 27 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Crystal Jump, Parsons, and Doris Wever, Bella Vista, Ark.; and a brother, Bruce MacPherson, Altoona.

She was preceded in death by five sisters, Eulalia Smith, Zeda Veillon, Betty Thompson, Blossom and Marigold MacPherson; and three brothers, Erbie, Paul and Frank MacPherson.

Funeral was Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Grace United Methodist Church in Vernon Center. Burial was in Cambria Cemetery under the direction of Lake Crystal Mortuary. A memorial service will be held in Kansas at a later date.