Obituary
Carolyn Jean Lazo, age 76, from Ocala, Florida, passed away at home on June 10th, 2022, surrounded by family. Carolyn was born in Boca Raton, Florida as Carolyn Jean Batts, on March 6, 1946, to parents James Earl Batts and Margaret Pearl (Corte) Batts.
Growing up in Tampa, Florida, Carolyn enjoyed many outdoor family activities, including swimming, water skiing, snorkeling and fishing. She loved gardening, sewing, singing and dancing. As the oldest of 8, Carolyn found her purpose in life being a big sister and “leader of the pack” to sisters: Marrene & Arlene and brothers: Jimmy, Billy, Franky, Woody and Johnny. She adored caring for others throughout her life. Carolyn attended Hillsboro High School and graduated in 1964 with a vocational diploma in Business Education. She was active in Future Business Leaders Club and worked as a Dean’s Assistant in the attendance office. Carolyn was a Cheerleader and a Sabarette in the ROTC and was voted Best Dressed by classmates. After graduating, she raised her family and enjoyed a 35 year career in Bookkeeping and Management before retiring in 2011.
Introduced by her grandfather, Carolyn met her soulmate- Johnny Lazo III, at the age of 14. Deeply in love, they eloped in August of 1963 when she was only 17 years old. Carolyn and Johnny have two children, Johnny IV and Lori Lynn and two grandchildren, Haley Alexandra and Courtney Rese. They were married 39 years before Johns passing.
In her retirement, Carolyn enjoyed traveling and caring for small children and animals. She developed a passion for the rescue, rehab and release of squirrels, and was a resource for rehab education. Please see the following YouTube links where Carolyn tells the story of how Lacy the squirrel came to be her pet https://youtu.be/xk9JcTR3oxo and also how she and Lacy would sing together https://youtu.be/Jir4zMuB-_I. Carolyn was a captivating storyteller and our family’s historian. She wrote several editorials that were published in the local paper in support of children’s rights and animal’s rights. She was a symbol of strength, compassion and faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Carolyn had an immensely positive and encouraging attitude, regardless of the circumstances and was always willing to lend a hand where needed. Virtues of faith, family tradition and patriotism were held in the highest regard with Carolyn and she was always up for get-togethers with family and friends. It was because of her enthusiasm for life that Carolyn was able to defy all odds in her 22 year battle against breast cancer.
In 2021 and for many years prior, Carolyn would write her annual “Christmas Letter” to all her friends and family, sharing all the happenings of the year. There is so much more that could be said about Carolyn and the wonderful life she was blessed to have. She will be missed greatly but our memories will endure forever. She is survived by her son John (Jeanne) Lazo IV of Summerfield and daughter Lori (Eric) Lazo-Gibbs of Nashville, granddaughter’s: Haley and Rese Lazo, siblings: Marrene (John) Boeren, Arlene Coulter, Jim (Bettye) Batts, Bill (Rosemary) Batts, Frank (Barbara) Batts, Woody (Teresa) Batts and John Batts. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband John Lazo III, parents James Earl and Margaret Pearl (Corte) Batts, in-laws Jennie (Robert) Rudolph and John (Virginia) Lazo Jr.
There will be a Celebration of Life at 12:30 PM on July 9th at the Ocala Elks Lodge, 702 NE 25th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470 for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Carolyn’s name, to the following charities:
The Humane Society of Marion County Florida- thehsmc.org
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)- dav.org
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital- stjude.org
Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-480-5959. Sentiments may be left online at www.baldwincremation.com.
Service
702 Northeast 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470
I loved her caring for her pet squirrels.
Love,
Mary DeFrenn and Lizzie
Sending our condolence and sorry will not be in town for her Memorial service.
Our Love and Prayers
Cathy and Larry.