Carla Bee Dankworth, beloved Mother and Friend went to be with the Lord on May 27, 2018 at the age of 88. She was born on November 19, 1929 in Venice, California, the only child of Josephine and Carl Snoddy. She graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School and Los Angeles City College. On May 1, 1949, Carla married her high school sweetheart, Dick Dankworth, in Los Angeles. She worked as a bank teller before she and Dick started their family with the birth of Gary, in 1951. In 1956, Carla and Dick moved to Reno when Dick was hired by the University of Nevada. Here they were blessed with two more sons, Jeffrey and Stephen. Thereafter, Carla was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker.
Carla’s love for Jesus and people propelled her into many areas of service within her community church as well as many NGOs including the Christian Women’s Club, Aglow International, Navigators, Youth With A Mission (YWAM), and Sierra Ministries. Carla had a gift for creating an inviting home and making people feel welcomed and loved. Always armed with at least one homemade mud pie and enough food to throw together a meal, she exuded hospitality to both expected and unexpected guests alike.
Carla worked tirelessly to support Dick throughout his many leadership roles at UNR and the National Judicial College, hosting gatherings for over 30 years at her home. Upon Dick’s retirement from the University of Nevada in 1986, the couple built their dream home on the Truckee River in Verdi and became lay leaders with YWAM’s University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. This gave the “retirees” the opportunity to enjoy the Pacific sun and Aloha spirit for 25 years during Northern Nevada’s cold winter months, while spreading the Good News of Jesus.
Carla’s great love for her family, community and God made her a beacon for many in Reno and throughout the world. Carla was a faithful friend and sister in Christ, diligent and relentless in her prayers for others. She was also a quiet source of encouragement, companionship and comfort and she will be greatly missed.
She is now reunited with her Heavenly Father, beloved husband, Dick; son, Gary; and grandson, Graham - no doubt delighting in the company of all she faithfully prayed for and supported during her life.
Carla is survived by her son Steve and wife, Kim; son Jeff and wife, Sherrie; and Gary’s wife, Ann; grandchildren Devon, Bria, Rachel, Jason, Brittany, Quentin, Jon, Piper and Annelise; and great grandchildren Kendra, Carson, Bryan, Brielle, Gavin, Coral, Remy, Emery, Brailyn, Quinn, Gary and Gwendolyn.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Outlook Christian Church, 3697 Kings Row in Reno. The family wishes that remembrances be made in the form of donations to: University of the Nations Kona Foundation, Youth Sports Program, 75-5851 Kuakini Highway #256, Kailua Kona, Hawaii, 96740-2199. The family invites you to share a condolence message on the book of memories at: www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com.