Carol Sue Forsstrom passed away on August 12, 2025 in Turlock, CA. Carol spent her final years in her daughter Melinda’s home surrounded by the things she loved the most, her grandchildren, her giraffe collection, and Jesus.
Carol grew up in Springfield, Missouri and lived in many different states throughout her teenage years. She married, then started her family in Livermore, CA having four kids, Michael, Melinda, Christina, and Gelena. Carol studied early childhood development which she earned her Associates Degree in, and spent the majority of her career teaching preschool, and working in the after school program for grades K-8. On top of this she was very active in her church, teaching Sunday school, vacation bible school, and women’s bible study.
Carol made friends wherever she went, helping anyone in need without complaint. She was a social butterfly and spent her retired years in Houston, Texas with her mother, sister and brother. She was very active in her church and her local senior club. She attended activities like swim class, bingo, bible study, carmelighters, red hat society, and even a senior travel club. Carol was loved by all who met her and remembered for her giving heart, love for Jesus, and especially her giraffe collection. She was an avid giraffe collector and amassed over 500 different giraffe items. Some of her grandchildren's favorite memories with Carol are playing Cadillac or international rummy with her when she would visit.
She is preceded in death by her father, Eddie P. Crowell; her mother, Marjorie Mae Crowell; her sisters, Judy and Linda; and her brother, Wayne.
Carol is survived by her son, Michael Forsstrom; her daughters, Melinda Reis (Anthony), Christina Adams (David), and Gelena Buford (Ronnie); her brothers, Jack and Steve; her grandchildren, Kaitlyn Newcomb (Rylen), Jacob Adams (Ana), Isaiah Adams, Luke Reis, Matthew Reis, Grace Reis, Faith Buford, Hailey Buford, Kensey Buford, Dalton Buford, Zoey Forsstrom, Alex Forsstrom, and Avery Forsstrom; and her great-grandchildren, Brayden Newcomb and Margo Adams.
We will miss her laughter and hearing her constantly breaking out into a song.
