Wilma Carrillo

WILMA CARRILLO, 73 Wilma Carrillo, surrounded by her husband and four children, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at the age of 73, from complications suffered from a stroke in Lakeland, Florida. Wilma, the daughter of Wilson Tavares and Maria Cruz Correia, was born on July 2, 1940, in Penedo, Estado de Lagoas and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wilma""s parents instilled in her a love of learning and a desire for travel and adventure. Wilma excelled academically and graduated with high honors from Bennett, a prestigious American High School in Rio. Upon graduation from high school, Wilma married the love of her life, Luis Enrique Carrillo, a recent medical school graduate. The newlyweds began their married life in Venezuela, S.A., where they quickly adjusted to their new home and where they were blessed with three children. Soon thereafter, the family relocated to the United States so that Luis could pursue his passion for medicine. While in Syracuse, the family was completed with the birth of their fourth child. After four years of living in Syracuse, the family relocated to Lakeland, Florida a place where she would call home for the next 42 years of her life. For most individuals, raising four children in a new country would have been challenge enough. However, Wilma was not most people. She loved learning and despite having limited free time, she decided to pursue her dream of graduating from college and enrolled at Polk Community College where she received an Associate""s Degree. Wilma then enrolled at Florida Southern College where she graduated summa cum laude. With three children off to college, Wilma decided that the opportunity was ripe for her to further her education once again and began her studies at Stetson Law School, where she was a member of Stetson Law Review, graduating in 1986. Upon passing the Florida Bar, Wilma began her legal career working as a Law Clerk at the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, a job she enjoyed until leaving to pursue a private law practice. Wilma always had a smile on her face and a fire in her heart, and was a beacon of light leading the way for her family and friends. Her counsel, both in practice and in friendship, was lucent and enlightening. She was known and respected for being a person for whom the accuracy of her words and the integrity of her actions were without question. Wilma was the happiest in her role of helping those in need, providing any assistance that she could to foster their growth and improve their wellbeing. When not working, Wilma enjoyed spending time with her husband Luis, children and grandchildren. One of her passions was traveling to all the countries which she voraciously read about. Her love of travel was always an opportunity to expand her vast knowledge and she could not wait to come back home and share her adventures with her family. Wilma changed the lives of many who had the privilege of knowing her. She always saw the good in people and was willing to afford everyone with the benefit of the doubt. Kind by nature, Wilma was a beautiful person, a wonderful wife, a fabulous mother, and a cherished friend. She will be sadly missed, but there is comfort in knowing that she had a wonderful life. Wilma is preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her loving husband, Luis, of 53 years; sons Luis Eduardo Carrillo (Patricia Eseverri), and Carlos Carrillo; daughters Claudia Carrillo (Jeff Hamilton), and Sandra Campisi (Sal, Jr.); six grandchildren, Everett and Olivia Hamilton, Sal and Grace Campisi, and Tomas and Isabel Carrillo; sister Adriana Tavares and Leslie Carrillo. A private ceremony was held on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at Heath Funeral Chapel, Lakeland, Florida.