Tamara Carew Obituary

Tamara Kay "Tami" Carew (Wheeler)

Sep 13, 1959 - Jun 12, 2023

Lakeland, FL

Tamara Kay "Tami" Carew (Wheeler), 63, passed away Monday, June 12, 2023. She is now at peace and an angel in Heaven after an over six-year battle with ovarian cancer.

The strength of her faith never wavered. Tami's compassion and love for others reflected the nature of Christ and was first and foremost in her life.

Tami was born Sept. 13, 1959, in Norwalk.

Tami is survived by her mother, Shirley Hynds; husband, William "Bill" Carew; sister, Tina Miller (Mark); brother, Scott Wheeler (Mary); sister, Tania Bergstedt (Ken); brother, Kim Wheeler (Kimberly); son, Justin Whitaker (Desirey); daughter, Laura Thomas (Reshah); stepdaughter, Kristine Willis (Chris); stepson, Barry Carew; grandchildren, Kimberly Saboley, Armand and Andre Parmar, Anne Willis, and Connor Carew; great-grandchildren, Theo, Uriah, and Charlie; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Wheeler.

Tami grew up on a farm in North Fairfield. There, she was taught if you wanted something, you worked hard for it. That was her motto throughout her life. Tami was also the first female barber in Norwalk.

In 1978, Tami moved to Lakeland, Florida, where she continued her cosmetology career. She worked at The Argosy and Hot Hedz Salons. Her life was centered around family, especially her children and grandchildren and all her extended family. Tami's other passion was working in her organic garden and cultivating many of her plants. Tami was also a member of First United Methodist Church in Lakeland.

There will be celebration of her life at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, Florida.

The celebration of life will continue at 3 p.m. at Origins Ranch, 5041 Reece Road, Plant City, Florida.

Tami's Ohio celebration of life will be 4-8 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2023, at NF Legion.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Tami Carew's honor to First United Methodist's Church Neighborhood Ministry program, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, Florida, 33801, or online at www.firstumc.org/give.