Joyce Carroll Collazo's Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joyce Lynn Carroll Collazo on April 23, 2025. Born on June 3, 1955, to Charles and Elizabeth Carroll in the state of Washington, Joyce was the fourth of 11 siblings. She spent her childhood having adventures in the wild country backyards of New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Her parents eventually settled in Mississippi, where Joyce went to high school, began working to help support the family, and save for college. She started at the University of Southern Mississippi, and while there, her path crossed with a lucky fellow named Hector Collazo Jr. Both were working their way through college at a local IHOP, Hector a cook and Joyce a waitress. After a week of dating, they were engaged.
Joyce and Hector were married 6 months later on August 21, 1976, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The new couple would move to Texas to start a life and family together. Settling in Rowlett, Texas, Joyce gave birth to her first son, Hector Loyd Collazo III, in 1978, then to her second son, Juanes Cotto Collazo, in 1981. Joyce went on to finish her college education at the University of Texas at Dallas, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1982. She worked hard to establish herself, beginning her career at ICMA. In 1985, she received her Master’s Degree in Political Economy from the University of Texas. Eventually, both Joyce and Hector would find themselves working for the City of Dallas. Joyce spent a career there becoming one of the city’s Chief Planners, where her visionary efforts contributed to the growth and betterment of the community. Eventually, opportunity knocked, bringing Joyce and Hector to Florida in 2005. Joyce began a new career, working for St. Petersburg College and later for the State of Florida Department of Education, where she earned another Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. After a lifetime of working on behalf of her community, she retired in the summer of 2018.
Joyce was filled with a zest for life, and didn’t wait for retirement to enjoy time with her family and friends. Joyce and Hector travelled all over the United States and made their way to multiple countries, including Mexico, Canada, Caribbean Islands, France, Ireland, Japan, Puerto Rico, and England. After retiring, Joyce continued to travel regularly, visiting her children, helping to raise her grandchildren, and exploring the country with her husband and friends. Her home is filled with photos chronicling these amazing experiences and memories.
Joyce’s legacy is carried on by her beloved family: her husband Hector Collazo Jr., sons Juanes Cotto Collazo and Hector Loyd Collazo III, her daughters-in-law Katrina Alexis Enyeart and Anthea Robertson, her grandchildren Philippa Elizabeth Collazo and Sebastian William Collazo, nieces and nephews, and the many “bonus kids” she collected throughout her life. Joyce had the gift of making everyone feel loved and accepted for exactly who they are.
Joyce Lynn Carroll Collazo’s life was a beacon of inspiration to all who knew her. Her spirit of perseverance, love for life, and unwavering support of her family and friends will be fondly remembered and deeply missed. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those people whose lives she changed forever.
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