Carrol Anne Laro

In Loving Memory of Carrol Anne Laro January 18, 1941 - March 29, 2026 Carrol Anne Laro, born January 18, 1941, in San Fernando Valley, CA, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026, at the age of 85, surrounded by her family. She lived a full life. During school one day, Carrol leaned out her classroom door and said "Psst . . . do you want to take me to lunch?". Where it all began. Clearly, she had no idea how one innocent lunch date would change her life forever. She was fourteen when she met and married her soul mate, Carmen Laro. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage before his passing. A life blessed, centered around love, family, and hard work. Truly an accomplishment. Over the years, Carrol helped build a life from the ground up-operating a moving business, a dairy in Ohio, and eventually a farm and roadside fruit stand in Visalia, California, all while raising five little farm workers ("the Laro kids"). She worked tirelessly alongside her husband, growing crops, packing produce, and creating a loving home. Later, she and Carmen followed yet another dream and moved to Badger, California where they opened an overnight fishing and camping resort, "Sierra Lakes". This is what they called retirement. Even then, Carrol never slowed down - running the restaurant herself as cook, waitress and dishwasher, serving both locals and travelers with the same warmth she gave her family. A rare once in a lifetime lady. In her later years, Carrol returned to the farm and to what she loved most - her family. Life came full circle. Sunday meals, especially her famous spaghetti and meatballs, brought together not only family, but friends and anyone lucky enough to have a place at her table. Always, plenty of food, laughter and most of all, love to go around. She was an incredible cook, a diligent worker, and her husband's right hand. The list goes on and on. God truly took the best. Carrol was the very heart and sole of her family - a devoted mother, proud grandmother and great grandmother ("Nana"). She had a special gift for making a house feel like a home, and for making everyone in it feel welcomed and loved. She is preceded in death by her parents, BJ and Marie Bryan; her only sibling, Myrna Kay; her husband, and her two sons, Nick Anthony Laro and James Burgiss Laro. She is survived by her children: Nina Lamothe (Paul), Carmen Laro II (Monica), Mary Kimbrell (Mike). She was a proud Nana to Nicholas Laro, Ross Laro, Benjamin Laro, Joseph Laro, Charlie Smith, Ashlie Cairns, Samantha Cardoso, Megan Laro, Carmen Laro III, Michael Kimbrell, and Matthew Kimbrell, and a cherished Nana to numerous great-grandchildren, all whom she loved dearly. Carrol also found great joy in her garden and flowers. While her husband liked to think he was the gardener, those closest to them knew it was Carrol who truly made everything bloom. Carrol was the glue of her family. Holding them together with kindness, warmth, and grace. Her legacy lives on in the generations she touched and the future generations to come. Graveside services will be held 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Monday, April 20th, 2026 at Exeter District Cemetery, 719 E. Marinette Ave., Exeter. A lunch will follow at her home, where family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate her life. She will be forever missed, never forgotten, and always in our hearts. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com