Carol Ellison Rodriguez

Carol Jean Ellison Rodriguez passed away on May 20 ^th peacefully while traveling with work.

Carol was born on 08/31/1961 to Joyce Sue and Melvin Eugene Ellison in Clanton Alabama. She was the second born of four sisters and they all swear that she was her Daddy’s favorite because she could “get away with anything”. She was a bright and outgoing child that excelled in her schooling at Thorsby elementary. She was also a natural born leader as she was easy to talk to and had a way of making others see and achieve their full potential. This was evident in her accomplishments as she was Co-Head cheerleader with her older sister at Thorsby Junior high as well as Captain of the Colorgaurd, Yearbook Editor, Beta Club Secretary, Who’s Who of American High School students, Science Club President and graduated with honors from Jemison High School.

Carol carried that determination and drive with her to Jacksonville State University where she was very active around campus. She was a little sister of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity which was considered a social honor on campus. Her sisters and closest friends remember her having “so many friends and all so different, no cookie cutter friends. She was always the life of the party, and everyone loved her.” She graduated from Jacksonville State University with a double major in psychology and marketing.

She went on to marry, have two beautiful children, raise her nephew as one of her own, and become a registered nurse in the Houston area, graduating from San Jacinto College in the fall of 1995.  Carol exceeded in every aspect of her career, not only was she a great communicator, but she was also intelligent, confident, creative, dependable, and she cared fiercely for those around her. Helping people was her passion…her calling. She started her own home health care agency shortly after graduating from nursing school, striving to bring high quality healthcare to her community and surrounding areas.  Carol was well respected in her field of work and went on to consult for several home health agencies in the Houston area. She made a strong impact on anyone and everyone who had a privilege of working with her. This was evident in the strength of the relationships and friendships she built along the way.

Carol’s current position as a Clinical Implementation Specialist for Traditions Health allowed her to fulfill her aspirations to travel across the US and see and learn as much as she could about as many places as possible. She was a lifelong learner and was always up for a new adventure. She had an unmatchable energy and zest for life. Her coworkers and friends looked forward to their trips and travel time together as they said, “it was always a blast when Carol was there”.

Perhaps her biggest accomplishment in life was being a mother and grandmother. She loved her children, as she would say “to the moon and back”, and she would literally move mountains for children and grandchildren without ever asking for anything in return. She was honestly the best cook, and her children will never forget the smell of her making breakfast every morning or the mess in the kitchen that followed. She taught her children something new every day, from her random trivia moments, to how to love unconditionally and have compassion for those around them. She did her best to be at every baseball/softball/football game, field trip, colorgaurd performance, birthday, as well as every big milestone in her children’s lives. As much as she did for her children, she did tenfold for her grandchildren. She had a special bond with each of them that made her a grandmother they can never forget. Whether it was fighting for bed space with JJ, as he insisted on sleeping in the same bed as CiCi, buying Jaxon an extra Lego set because “it just wasn’t fair”, or simply sneaking Jamison (her youngest grandson and twin) an extra piece of candy. She would never miss a motocross race, no matter where she would have to fly in from. Although, she didn’t have as much time with her granddaughter Aurora, she made sure to squeeze that sweet baby tight as long and as often as she could. This love extended to not only to her own children and grandchildren, but to each niece, nephew, Godchild, and every child who needed a mom whether it was just for a moment or for a lifetime. She always went above and beyond for her children, grandchildren, and anyone that asked for her attention. Carol was and always will be their angel.

Carol was a mother, a grandmother (CiCi), a daughter, sister, godmother (Nina), friend, and coworker. She was the best of all of those things. She was kindhearted, genuine, compassionate, and people gravitated towards her. A million people could be in a room, and she could make you feel like you were the most important. She was an inspiration. Carol loved her family and friends tremendously and never hesitated to give someone a second chance. She was truly a light in a world that could use just a few more Carols.

She was preceded in death by her father Melvin Eugene Ellison.

She is survived by her children Kristen (Stephen) Martinez, Jonathan (Shalyn) Rodriguez, and Daniel (Stephanie) Ocasio. Grandchildren Jonathan Jr., Jaxon, Jamison, and Aurora Rodriguez, Brayden, Ansley, Ronan, and Cooper Ocasio, her mother, Sue Ellison,  her sisters, Donna Woods, Jody (Ken) Keith, and Tara (Rodney) Ellison, 20 Nieces and Nephews, 27 Great Nieces and Nephews (2 more on the way), and a host of Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and friends.

Services will be at Martin funeral home in Clanton Alabama at 1 pm on Friday June 3rd . For family and friends that cannot attend, there will be a live stream link posted on her Facebook. Flowers are greatly appreciated and can be sent to Martin Funeral Home Inc or to Joyce Sue Ellison (address listed below). Carol was also very passionate about helping women and children in need, for those who would like to contribute to charities she took interest in may do so in lieu of flowers.

Children:

<https://houstonchildrenscharity.org/programs/texas-childrens-hospital-emergency-fund/>

Women:

<https://hawc.org>

Funeral home address:

Martin Funeral Home

1300 4th Ave N, Clanton, AL 35045

Joyce Sue Ellison:

1800 4th Ave N, Clanton AL 35045

Martin Funeral Home directing.

You may leave online condolences for the family on the guest registry at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.