Carol Kovick Badalucco

Carol Kovick Badalucco 70, of Clayton, NC, passed away on July 2, 2017, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all whom she met. Carol has always loved our Lord and now is commended to His loving arms.

Carol was born to Stanley and Josephine Kovick on July 15, 1946, in Detroit, MI. She grew up in Lincoln Park, MI, graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1964, and went to work in the payroll department of Michigan Bell Telephone Company. She met Tom there and they dated for four years while Tom completed college. They were married by Monsignor Maino at St. Francis Cabrini Church in Allen Park, MI, on October 18, 1968. They made their home in Northville, MI, for a few years while both of them worked at Hawthorn Center, a hospital for emotionally disturbed children. Carol was an Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Director of the hospital.

In 1973, they moved to Petoskey, MI, where Tom completed a RN degree and Carol worked in the Registrar’s office of the college. A daughter, Kimberlee Jo was born in 1976, followed by a son, Jeffrey Thomas, in 1980. Carol then spent 10 years being a full-time wife and mother. As their family grew, so did Carol’s involvement in numerous community activities including: pre-school teacher assistant, Girl Scout and 4H Leader, membership in the Hill N Dale Extension Club, and numerous other interests. She received the community’s Good Neighbor award one year and always considered service to others as a joy and a privilege. During these years Carol also immersed herself in her other love – large gardens of flowers and vegetables and landscaping of the yard.

In 1986, the family moved to Rocky Mount, NC, to escape the cold climate of Northern Michigan. Carol began volunteering her time at Benvenue Elementary School, then was hired by the school as an office assistant, then a Teacher Assistant for a number of years in Kindergarten and the EMH/TMH special needs classroom. Her love of children blossomed fully in this environment. She retired from the school system, then became an expert in Medical Records Release of Information at Nash Health Care Systems. Her final years of employment were spent in the Business Office of the hospital as a primary liaison with the Hospital attorneys for all issues related to medical records.

After Carol’s second retirement, the family moved to Clayton, NC, so that Carol could be a full-time “Nana” to our two grandchildren, Tucker and Jillian Nappier. She became a charter member of an informal group that called themselves the “Granny Nannies.” The group and the children they were caring for got together several times each week for various children’s activities and socialization. Carol enjoyed this time a great deal because, after all, the focus was children and they were the joy of her life. During this time, as well, she returned to avid gardening of flowers and became engaged with the Wake County SPCA because of her lifelong love of animals. She always participated in the SPCA’s big annual fundraiser known as the 3K Dog Walk and Woofstock.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Josephine Kovick, her half-sister, Helen Ball and husband Keith Ball, Sr, and a half-brother, William Kovick.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Thomas Badalucco; daughter, Kimberlee Badalucco Nappier of Clayton, NC; son, Jeff Badalucco of Nashville, NC; grandson, Tucker James Nappier; granddaughter, Jillian Lee Nappier; nephew, Kevin Ball of Troy, MI; nephew Keith Ball of Macomb Township, MI.

Arrangements are made by McLaurin Funeral Home 12830 US-70 Bus. Hwy. W., Clayton, NC.

Visitation and graveside service will be on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017, at 11:00AM.

A luncheon will be served at the same location after the service.

In keeping with Carol's wishes, please DO NOT wear black!!! Please wear bright, cheerful clothing to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, Carol requested donations be made to the local animal shelters.

Johnston County SPCA: 720 Durham Street Clayton, North Carolina 27520 Phone: 919-553-3749

Wake County SPCA: https://secure2.convio.net/spcawc/site/Donation2

Kevlar for Working Dogs: www.kevlarfork9s.org/donate-today