Caroline Almonrode

Caroline Reed was born on November 23, 1962 in Bethesda Maryland to her mother Loretta Dowie and father Edward Lee Reed Jr. She had two older brothers, James and Mike, and later two younger brothers, Mark and Jeff.

She spent part of her childhood in Montgomery County Maryland and Fairfax, Virginia before spending her teen years in Seminole, Florida.  Spanning from her later teen years into her early twenties, Caroline worked in financing for several weekly newspapers in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  While still in her early twenties, Caroline worked as a technician at an Infectious Disease Clinic in Northern Virginia caring for patients undergoing kidney dialysis. While still in her twenties and making her home in Fort Valley Virginia, Caroline enjoyed volunteering to teach Sunday School to children at the Assembly of God church in nearby Woodstock Virginia.

In her early thirties Caroline fell in love with the ocean and permanently moved to Jacksonville Beach, Florida where she enjoyed collecting seashells along the Atlantic Ocean with her mother Loretta Dowie.  Caroline's sweet, fun and caring nature led her to develop several great friendships, including with her best friend Rebecca Homar.

In her early forties at a evening gathering, Caroline and Freddy Almonrode's eyes first met across a crowded room.  Despite both of them never truly believing in love at first sight, they were pleasantly surprised to fall so deeply in love before marrying on August 23, 2005. With the arrival of their adorable daughter Kayla Ann, Caroline and Freddy took great joy in parenting and raising her in accordance with their cherished Christian values, celebrating major holidays including Easter, Thanksgiving and especially Christmas.

In her late forties, Caroline was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.  In spite of such an imposing disease, Caroline found great motivation in her love for her husband Freddy and daughter Kayla and chose to fight for every single day.  Each day slowly turned into a year, each year turned into several as Caroline's strength to endure and unwavering loyalty to God continually amazed and inspired all those around her.

On December 25, 2017 Christmas Day, at age 55 Caroline Reed Almonrode peacefully and gracefully began her walk with Jesus on the day we celebrate His birth.  She was surrounded by her husband Freddy, daughter Kayla, mother Loretta, father Edward and Pastor Otis Locke.  While she will be greatly missed, her boundless faith in the Lord, selfless and  indomitable spirit will forever be treasured and loved by all who know her.

Caroline Almonrode is survived by her husband Freddy, their daughter Kayla, her mother Loretta Dowie, father Edward Reed Jr., brothers Jim Reed, Mike Reed, Mark Reed and Jeffrey Reed as well as her mother and father in law Gary and Jayne Almonrode, her extended family in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania including her best friend Rebecca Homar and many other friends and acquaintances.

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2018 in First Assembly of God, 325 10th Avenue South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, with the Funeral Service following at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Assembly of God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16