Carol Gasbarro Davis

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Carol Gasbarro Davis, 68, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 26, 2024 at her home in Lake Panasoffkee, Florida, surrounded by family and friends. Carol was born May 23, 1956 in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She was the daughter of the late Raymond Gasbarro and Virginia Hamlin Gasbarro of Fruitland Park, Florida, she was preceded in death by her sister Patricia (Patti) Williams Kramm and her nephew Shawn Thomas Williams, both of Leesburg, Florida. Carol’s zest for life, service and excellence were evident from her early childhood into her adult life. Her first recognition came in grade school when she received a service award from the Chicago Motor Club for serving on the School Safety Patrol. While attending Bloom Township High School, she was a volunteer Candy Striper at St. James Hospital and a Junior Varsity Cheerleader. During her Junior Year, she was Inducted into The National Honor Society and the Quill and Scroll Society for Journalism Students. She also served on the Student Council and was the feature Editor for The Broadcaster, the biweekly newspaper. That same year, she won first Place in the Illinois State High School Science Fair competition, sponsored by the University of Illinois, for her study of mercury poisoning in mice and their offspring. To finish off her senior year, she was selected by her classmates as the Prom Queen. After High School she worked for a brief time as a dispatcher for the South Chicago Heights Police Department. Her love of animals landed her a job as a Veterinary assistant and that same devotion led to a life of caring for and helping animals. While attending Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin she studied wildlife behavior. She is a graduate of the University of Richmond, Robins School of Business with a degree in business administration. She worked in the insurance industry for a number of years setting up flexible benefit plans in Virginia and was a licensed life and health agent after she moved to Florida. She and her husband, Steve, have owned and operated a fuel additive business that they had started over 35 years ago. Carol was a voracious reader, focusing largely on health, nutrition and medical topics studies. Deeply religious, she started each day with an inspirational reading or scripture. She will be remembered as a devoted wife and partner, one who considered all of her friends as family members. If someone had a problem, she would spend hours trying to find a solution. A lifelong friend shared “What I remember most about her in high school was how easily she made friends and got along with everyone. Regardless of her achievements and popularity, she was never snobbish or dismissive. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who had anything negative to say about her.” Having no children, she was especially proud of her nephews and thought of them as her own. Her love of and dedication to animals carried over into her home life. She was once dog mom to six fur babies. Her latest was Reese, a Short Haired English Pointer. Tigger was her favorite cat. No life was too small and she rescued and released varmints that wandered into the house unintentionally. For entertainment, Carol adored the Hallmark Channel, especially their annual Christmas movies and specials. She is survived by her husband, Steven C. Davis of Lake Panasoffkee, FL (formally of Leesburg, FL); her sister, Jan Atwater of Palm Harbor, FL; Nephews, Master Sergeant Patrick Atwater, US Army (April) of El Paso, TX; Christopher Atwater (Valerie) of Cedar Lake, IN; and Ryan Thomas Williams (Jennifer) of Willow Spring, N.C. A Celebration of Carol’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 3, at 2:00 PM at Beyers Funeral Home 1123 West Main St. in Leesburg. A visitation for family and friends will be from 1:30 to 2:00 PM. A reception will follow to continue sharing stories and memories about Carol. The location will be made available at the service. The family requests that donations be made in Carol’s honor to a favorite charity or to a local animal shelter. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

Carol Gasbarro Davis

May 23, 1956 - December 26, 2024