Carmen Denise (Bywater) Wood, 69, Louisville, Kentucky, passed away April 23, 2026, at her home. Carmen was born on February 12, 1957, in Fairfax, Missouri. She was married to Joel Ton, who survives of the home.

Carmen graduated from Tarkio High School in 1975, where she enjoyed involvement in many clubs and activities, including track, cheerleading, band, and basketball. She attended Northwest Missouri State University, where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and the Bearcats Steppers Dance Team. She worked as a counselor after earning a master’s degree in psychology and counseling from Rockhurst University. She was a flight attendant for many years for various airlines, including Braniff and Vanguard, which is where she and Joel first met. She retired from the sky in 2005.

Carmen and Joel enjoyed traveling, attending concerts, and following college basketball. She was known for her sense of humor, including her insistence that concertgoers should let the performers do the singing. Her hobbies included reading, walking, practicing yoga, and going to estate sales with Joel. She enjoyed bird watching, especially cardinals. And she loved their little yorkie.

Carmen was preceded in death by her father, Presley Bywater. In addition to her husband Joel, she is survived by her mother, Helen Bywater of Trinidad, Colorado; two sisters, Leasa (Mike) Coulter of Oak Grove, Missouri; Lora (Richard) Cummins of Trinidad; and five nephews, John (Angela McCormick) Coulter of Los Angeles, California, Mark Coulter of Oak Grove, Jake (Courtney) Cummins, Aransas Pass, Texas, Sam (Renae) Cummins, Friendswood, Texas, and Max Cummins, Trinidad; brothers-in-law, Mitchell Ton and Jeff Ton; and sister-in-law, Jill Stollenwerk (Jerry).

Carmen requested no services and cremation under the direction of Cremation Society of Kentucky. Condolences may be shared at www.forevermissed.com Remembering Carmen Denise Wood 1957-2026.

Carmen cared about the environment. If you’d like, consider a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org or 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508) or plant a tree in her honor. Carmen would also encourage everyone to take time to read and enjoy a good book.

To everyone who supported the family with their love and kindness during this difficult time, thank you with our deepest gratitude.