Caroline Jennifer Atwood

Caroline Jennifer "CJ" Atwood was born on August 10, 1990 in Kingman, Arizona to Rita and Chris Atwood.  CJ passed away unexpectedly on May 10, 2014 at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado, she was 23 years old. 
CJ was the only child of Rita and Steve Roberts of La Junta and the granddaughter of Jay and Luella Miller of La Junta, the late Bud and Margaret Roberts of La Junta, and Betty and the late Jack Atwood of Centennial, Colorado. 
    She graduated from La Junta High School in 2009 and then attended Otero Junior College.  Throughout her years in school she competed in volleyball and track.  She was dedicated to her sports and never missed a game or practice. 
    She was a licensed Substitute Teacher for the East Otero School District.  CJ enjoyed teaching and often helped children with their reading and homework in the evenings.  She loved teaching the intermediate school grades and often commented that she understood them and was the "same size" so they didn't intimidate each other.   
    CJ loved working on cars modifying them to compete in car shows.  She won several times and was very proud of her accomplishments.  She had a wonderful flair for designing flower beds and pots and had several clients go back to her year after year to design their displays.  She had a knack for combining unusual varieties of plants and flowers to create a stunning display.  CJ was a dedicated Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks fan.  She never missed watching the games if she could.  She collected Todd Helton baseball cards and Rockies memorabilia.  She could always be counted on to lend a helping hand even if it meant climbing on the roof to help her Dad or Grandpa install a new roof.  CJ was looking forward to seeing the Diamondbacks in person this summer for her 24th birthday.
    She lived in rural La Junta for most of her life.  She loved horses and had several.  CJ was known to rescue and find homes for any animal that came across her path that needed a home.  
    CJ was in a serious car accident shortly after she graduated.  Her health continued to decline and her love of competing suffered due to her physically not being able to continue her projects.  She always had a smile and comforting word for others and never complained.   
    She is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends too numerous to list.  Everyone that met her loved her and never knew how hard it was some days to make it through the day.  CJ will live on in the hearts of each of them, we will see her smiling when we meet again.  She chose to be an organ donor when she turned 16 and spoke about donation often.  Through her generosity over 100 people will be helped, along with their families.  Her family is truly blessed to have known such a loving, caring, special young woman whose life ended much too soon. 
 
CJ's family has requested in lieu of flowers, that the donation of a book be made to your local schools in her honor for each schools "wall of books", or a bag or 2 of cat or dog food to your local animal shelter to help them care for abandoned animals.

Memorial service will be held Friday, May 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with David Peach of New Mexico officiating.