Carolyn Garrison

Carolyn Garrison passed away Thursday, October 6th, 2022, at Lakeland Hospice House in Lakeland, Florida, after a brief illness. She was 94 years old.

Born March 27, 1928, in Fort Meyers, Carolyn was a resident of Valrico, Florida. She had been married to Reynold Garrison for sixty-six years before he preceded her in death in 2015.

After living with her family in Fort Meyers on the family’s tropical plant farm as a child, Carolyn later moved to Detroit, Michigan, when her father chose to pursue employment in the newly booming automotive industry of the 1940s. Later, they moved to a farm in Peck, Michigan. Upon graduating high school, Carolyn quickly left farm life to move back to Detroit, where she worked for the Bell Communications Company as a secretary.

She met Rey in 1948, and they married on January 22, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan. After having five children and living in several Detroit suburbs, the family moved to Lighthouse Point, Florida in 1971. They later moved to Vero Beach and then in 2001 to Valrico, Florida.

Mom proudly listed her employment on any record as “homemaker.” Her first child was born in 1950 and her last was born in 1964. She selflessly and joyfully raised her five children for 33 years. Her love for her family was her greatest joy in life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Reynold C. Garrison, her parents Leland S. Matthews and Bernice Kennedy Matthews, as well as her grandson, Christopher J. Brian.

Carolyn leaves behind her sons and daughters, Linda K. Brian Reynold C. Garrison, Jr. (Carolyn), Robert K. Garrison, Victoria J. Ginty (Michael), and Megan Hawkes (Robert). She is also survived by ten grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by each one.

A memorial service is scheduled at First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, 121 Carver Avenue, Brandon, Florida on Saturday, November 5th, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice House of Lakeland, because of the family's deepest gratitude for the comfort they provided their mother in her final hours.