Carolyn Ruth Deats, age 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, (the first day of summer) at approximately 1:35pm.
She was the oldest of two daughters born to Jessie and Laura Howe. Her father was an electrician and jack of all trades and her mother was a nurse until she had her children. Carolyn was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 14, 1927.
Some of her favorite things were roses, Charlie perfume, pumpkin pie, swimming, walking and the color blue.
Her first real job, other than babysitting, was a cash girl at Federal Department Store in Dearborn, Michigan. A cash girl ran the purchase from the department to the cash register. After the sale, you returned the change and the package to the customer. Carolyn graduated from Fordson High School in Dearborn in June 1944 and went to work for Montgomery Ward until the the fall of 1950.
Carolyn married Carlton on September 13, 1947, in Dearborn, Michigan. They raised their three children in the Detroit suburbs (North Farmington, MI). In the winter the subdivision would flood the old “pump house” for the kids to go ice skating and in the summer the woods behind the development was a favorite place to play. They finally moved to Florida as empty nesters later in life. Her family was everything to her.
Even though Carolyn was born and raised in the north, she was a true southern belle; gentle, kind, always smiling and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, Carlton “Cotton” Deats and sister, Linda Hoefle. She is survived by her sons, Phil Deats and wife, Cindy; Rick Deats and wife, Paula; and daughter, Patti Romo and husband, Bob. In addition, she is survived by her three beautiful granddaughters, Erin Colley and husband, Mitch; and Megan and Morgan Deats. She also has one sassy three year old great granddaughter, Evie Colley.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 13th at 3:00pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 335 East State Road 434, Longwood, Florida.