Caron Elizabeth Caruso

Caron Elizabeth Caruso, 71, of Chester, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 13, 2025, at her home in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by the loving care of her husband, John Caruso, and her son, David Thompson. Born in Osaka, Japan, on March 11, 1954, she was preceded in death by her mother, Bertha Lee Slatten, and her father, Harold “Sonny” Slatten.

A devoted wife and mother, Caron was deeply loved by all who knew her. With her quick sense of humor, whimsical laugh, and gentle spirit, she brought light to every room. She never had a harsh word to share and had countless friends and family who will love her forever—I know I will.

She is survived by her husband, John Caruso; her sister, Sherry Lee Grubbs; her brothers, Lance Slatten and Chris Slatten; and her children, Jennifer Elmore, Michael Thompson, and David Thompson.

Caron earned a B.A. in Art from the College of William and Mary and later completed post-baccalaureate studies in Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University. She held many jobs throughout her life before settling into a career as a software engineer with ManTech, serving the Defense Commissary Agency at Fort Lee, Virginia, where she formed lifelong friendships. Her husband John was her supervisor—but only at work.

She practiced karate and earned a Third Degree Brown Belt in Shorin-Ryu. She also had the most beautiful, lilt-like singing voice—heard often at home, though rarely in public.

Caron loved nature and helped her husband design and build a log cabin home on Roanoke Rapids Lake in Gaston, North Carolina. There, she watched eagles, hawks, owls, and songbirds from the porch as she cared for her hummingbird feeders. She picked wildflowers, had little interest in roses, and adored their two dogs, JayJay and KayLee, beyond measure.

She traveled with her husband to Montreal, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, Lake Tahoe, and made countless trips to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, her favorite place of all. Caron was truly one of a kind—never boring, full of energy, and full of life.

No matter how the day went, we always ended it with a laugh before bed—usually with a dog between us, pushing me toward the edge of the bed until I fell onto the floor. Caron didn’t seem to mind. It was all good. Twenty-eight years of marriage—thirty-five years of conversation—and it never ended. It never will.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday November 9, 2025 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Home, 2033 Boulevard. The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.