Carol Lea Hartley, age 79, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025, at her home. Carol Lea was born to John Hubert Garoutte and Alma (Wilson) Garoutte on October 26, 1945, in Upland, California. She was raised in Stotts City, Missouri, and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. She is survived by her son, Robert Eugene Hartley. She also had another son, Lonnie Wayne Hartley, who passed away soon after his birth in 1968.

Carol Lea was retired from owning her own florist business (Creations by Carol Lea) in Aurora, Missouri. Over the course of her career, she began in the floral business working for another local business before striking out on her own in 1980, when she built a highly successful business for the next thirty years. When not working, she had many interests and pastimes including floriculture, and floral consulting. She was also had a love of fishing, and most certainly enjoyed watching her favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals. She also enjoyed painting, decorating, and cooking for her family. Nothing, however, brought her more joy and fulfillment than spending time with her family, which had grown to three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She will be remembered as one the most kind and loving people to all. She was deeply compassionate of others and an avid follower of God. She was deeply rooted in her faith and spoke of it daily. She left a legacy of incredible recipes, a deep knowledge of planting and caring for flower and trees, as well as her shared faith with many other family and friends.

Carol Lea was preceded in death by her mother and father; brother, Duane Garoutte; sister-in-law, Susan Garoutte; and son, Lonnie Wayne Hartley. She is survived by her brother and his wife Don and Sandy Garoutte; brother, Dennis Garoutte; sister, Cathy Sheldon; sister-in-law, Rita Garoutte; and daughter-in-law, Kelley Hartley.

Carol Lea had made the decision not to have a funeral service or visitation. Her family has requested donations be made in Carol Lea Hartley’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements are under the compassionate direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield, Missouri.