Gwendolyn Carr Crenshaw

Gwen C. Crenshaw, age 72, of Ocala passed away on March 15, 2020. She was born on October 31, 1947 in Winterhaven, FL to Luther Carr and Violet Holland. Gwen was the third of 4 children including Eddie Carr (Ann), Pam Hatch (John) and Ken Carr (Pat). She is survived by her Husband of 50 years, Larry Crenshaw; daughters, Missy Ridgway (David), Crystal Bratcher (Walt); grandchildren: Grace Violet & John Bratcher; Sister Pam Hatch (John); Brother Ken Carr (Pat); Stepbrothers: Clark (Mary) & Mark Yandle; Brother in law, Carl Crenshaw (Linda); aunts; cousins along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

She is predeceased by her Father and Stepmother, Luther & Devon Carr; Mother, Violet Holland; Stepfather, OC Yandle; Brother and Sister in Law, Eddie & Ann Carr; Great Nephews, Cade James Carr and Gavin Duncan.

Gwen grew up in Ocala and graduated Ocala High School in 1966. She remained friends with several classmates near and far over the years. Her joy was a home day care she ran for 20 years which she started to care for a classmate’s newborn son. Word spread fast and 20 years later, Gwen lost count of how many little lives she touched and cared for starting as newborns in many cases, until they went to Kindergarten. Gwen was known to many children and parents as “Aunt Gwen”. When Missy & Crystal were young, they got involved with Girl Scouts. Gwen was right there beside them either as the Troop Leader, Summer Camp Leader or a volunteer Mom. After her daughters grew out of scouts, Gwen continued to volunteer each year as the Cookie Chairmen for two local areas of Girl Scout Troops making sure they received all the cookies they ordered. Altogether she volunteered in some fashion for Girl Scouts for about 25 years. Another favorite memory of Gwen’s was being a “Mom” to the teens at church when her daughters were in the youth group. She went on several trips, helped with fundraisers, cooked plenty of meals and hosted many gatherings at her home and was just there for the teens when they needed her most. Gwen started working at the Ocala Police Department in 2004 and was the face of the front window of Records until she retired in 2017. She loved her OPD Family and enjoyed several returns to the department, after retirement, to stay in touch. In 2008 Gwen was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, which resulted in a lumpectomy and 36 radiation treatments and was deemed a Survivor. In 2014 she received the news that she had a rare uterine cancer that she fought through a full hysterectomy, chemotherapy and 135 radiation treatments as it moved through her abdomen, lungs and ultimately to her brain. She defined what being a Warrior against cancer is all about. In 2017 Gwen and her daughter Missy both joined the All About You Angels as Breast Cancer Survivors where they helped bring awareness to Breast Cancer and raise funds to help other women fighting this disease. They were both honored at the 2017 Southeastern Pro Rodeo in Ocala as the “2017 Rodeo Princesses” during the Pink Night at the Rodeo. In 2018 they were both included in the Annual Angel Calendar and as models in the Fashion Show. Gwen loved working with the Angels at events, helping and supporting other survivors and being part of the Angel Family.