Carline Commnelle Lacking was born on May 1, 1936, in McComb, Mississippi, to the union of the late Willie Turner Sr. and Jessie Velma Sibley Turner. The youngest of nine children, Carline was affectionately given the nickname “Cat” by her siblings.

Carline grew up surrounded by family and faith. At the tender age of 12, she gave her life to Christ.  This was the beginning of a lifelong relationship with God that would become one of the greatest foundations of her life. Her aunt recognized Carline’s beautiful gift of singing at an early age, and she began using her voice to glorify God at New Zion Topisaw Baptist Church.

Carline received her formal education from Booker T. Washington High School in Pike County, Mississippi, where she earned her high school diploma.

At the age of 16, Carline met the love of her life, Henry Lacking. The two were united in holy matrimony on July 5, 1953. Their union was blessed with five children. After welcoming their first child, Carline and Henry migrated from Mississippi to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they would establish their home, raise the remainder of their children, and build a life centered around faith and family.

After arriving in Milwaukee, Carline became a founding member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a part of the church’s early beginnings and faithfully served through her gift of song as a member of the choir. Her love for the Lord continued to guide her throughout every season of her life. In 1991, Carline became a member of Christ Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C, where she continued singing in the choir and faithfully served as a Mother of the Church. In 2008, she joined Village Ministries Inc. under the leadership of Pastor E.R. Owens. There, she continued serving as a beloved Mother of the Church, remaining faithful to God and her church family throughout the remainder of her life.

Carline was a hardworking woman who held several positions throughout her lifetime. She worked factory jobs at John Olsten and Mama Vanch Herring, served as a teacher’s aide with Milwaukee Public Schools, and later worked as a custodian at Milwaukee City Hall, where she eventually retired.

While Carline worked hard outside of her home, some of her greatest work happened within her family. She was a God-fearing, vibrant, charismatic, nurturing, loving, and giving woman. She loved her family deeply, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Carline was also the family beautician. On the weekends, you could often find her doing the hair of family members, making sure everybody was taken care of and looking their best. She enjoyed gardening and embroidery and could find joy in the simple things in life.

Carline enjoyed good soul food with some of her favorites being fried chicken, collard greens, and yams. She was an excellent cook herself and became especially known throughout the family for her famous dressing and sweet potato pies. She was always curious about what somebody else had on their plate. One of her favorite sayings was,

“I ain’t never had none of that before. How that taste?” which usually meant she was getting ready to try something from your plate.

Those who knew Carline also knew about her favorite color yellow, love for her Kleenex tissue, keeping her hair & nails done, and jewelry. She enjoyed watching the Food Network and her soap operas, especially Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless. She could also be found enjoying The Price Is Right and Family Feud with Steve Harvey.

Carline lived a full and blessed life of 90 years. Through every chapter, her faith remained at the center. She loved the Lord, trusted Him, called upon Him, and passed that same foundation of faith down through generations of her family.

On the morning of Saturday, September 5, 2026, Carline peacefully transitioned from this earthly life while receiving care at Zilber Family Hospice. After 90 years of loving, nurturing, serving, singing, cooking, laughing, and pouring into generations of her family, she answered the Lord’s call and entered into eternal rest.

Carline was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Willie Turner Sr. and Jessie Velma Sibley Turner; her eight siblings, Emanda Lee Robinson, Eulater Ellzey, Sandra Bertrle Turner-Jones, Enoch James Turner, Oliver Walter Turner, Willie Turner Jr., Linnell Nathan, and Ethel B. Turner; her grandson, Dontaye Hall; and her son-in-law, Sylvester Johnikin.

Carline leaves to cherish her loving memory her five children, Kay Frances Leopold, Arlyn (Robin) Lacking Sr., Commnelle Johnikin, Scottie Lacking, and Kary Lacking; her bonus children, Barki “PJ” Barki and Maureen Barki; her grandchildren, Danielle Hall, Shannon Smith, Erika (Willie) Bailey, Arlyn (Latasha) Lacking Jr., Brittany Lacking, Geneva (Quay) Willis, Kary Lacking Jr., Kamaren (Teyonna) Lacking, De’Andre Freeman, Jasmine Johnikin, and Ayanna Lacking; her bonus grandchildren, Iveren Barki, Terhemen Barki, Terna Barki, Va’Na Barki, Barki Barki, Hembadoon Barki; 31 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family, and dear friends.

Her life was a testimony.

Her family was her joy.

Her faith was her foundation and her legacy will live on for generations to come.