Carol Ann Spears

Carol Ann Spears, age 65, passed away on February 27, 2025, at the UCLA Medical Center. Carol was born on December 25, 1959 to Jim and Yvonne Spears in San Francisco, CA. Carol made her unexpected arrival while her family hosted a Christmas dinner where a "Christmas Carol" was born. At a young age, Carol and her family moved frequently due to her "Papa Jim's" career in the California State Prison System as an administrator. Her family eventually settled in Ione, California where Carol graduated from Ione High School in 1978. Carol went on to pursue her love of working with children by attending and graduating from CSU Chico with her Teaching Credential in 1983. She later completed a Master's Degree and received her Administrative Credential from CSU Fresno in 1991. Carol began her teaching career in 1983 at Earlimart School District where she continued to work for over 34 years. In those 34 years, Carol served as a 1st grade teacher, assistant principal, principal and then a 3rd grade teacher before her retirement in 2017. She dedicated her life to teaching and being an advocate for her students and their families. She was a friend and mentor to many teachers along the way. Carol is preceded in death be her parents, Jim and Yvonne Spears. She is survived by her brother and his wife, Keith Spears and Leslie Martin, and her created family and best friend, Sandy and Larry Johnson, as well as her nephew and his wife, Ian Johnson and Kaitlyn Johnson, and nieces, Alyssa Johnson, Kara Johnson and her husband, Jim Jones, and her great niece, her sweet girl, Ryan Jones, along with countless close friends. Carol was a force of nature who showed nothing but kindness and compassion to those she met. She loved fiercely and lived life to the fullest. Her stories of mischief and jokes will live on through those who loved her. Her passing has left a void that can never be filled. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Earlimart Rotary Club in Carol's name. Please contact Sandy Johnson at sandyj559@yahoo.com. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Saturday, March 29th, 2025 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Reception services will be held 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Saturday, March 29th, 2025 at Salser & Dillard Life Event Center, 135 E Caldwell Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Carol Ann Spears

December 25, 1959 - February 27, 2025