CARMEN’S DEATH
Carmen Towles passed away in July of 2020. I found out on July 25th from a client. I believe she passed away on the 24th, but I see other conflicting reports on Notary Rotary saying it happened two weeks before that. The last time I talked to Carmen was on June 29th when she was released from the hospital. She was able to talk but wasn’t making logical sense. She couldn’t remember if she had a gall stone or a kidney stone. I think you would remember that.
Carmen died of Pancreatic cancer, but had a gall bladder infection too. She never told me about the cancer, perhaps because she didn’t want me to worry. I think it would have been better if she had told me so I could plan ahead.
OUR HISTORY TOGETHER
In any case, Carmen and I worked together for 17 years since 2003. I remember the first time I met her at the entrance to our complex. I was selling her a course book. She was very talkative, inquisitive, and sharp. She kept calling me to ask questions and became very knowledgeable as a signing agent. Carmen claimed she took the NNA course, but that it did not make her feel confident enough to go out and do real signing work. After she mastered our 123notary course, she felt she got a practical road map of what to do and how to handle situations. As time went on, I begged her to work for me. She initially didn’t want to. It took a few years to get her to work full time. After she got used to it, signings slowed down, and she became hooked on 123. She did the new sales and renewals and was very possessive about the work.
CARMEN AS A MENTOR
Carmen was an excellent mentor to many of our Notaries. She taught them the twists and turns of what can happen at signings and with the various companies who hire Notaries. She kept many out of trouble and inspired all. She had real charisma, pizzazz, combined with a deep and pragmatic knowledge of Notary law and signing competency. Nobody else combined her flamboyance and knowledge. None of the other Notary companies have anyone even half as good as she was.
CARMEN’S INPUT
Carmen helped me put together a new over the phone test content as well as a new course which is on the blog and free — Notary Public 101. We wanted to emphasize what gets Notaries in trouble, so they can stay out of trouble. The other courses taught information which was about loan documents which is fine, but you don’t normally get in trouble for not understanding the documents, you get in trouble for notary mistakes or mishandling situations.
OUR LOSS
The Notaries are very sad that Carmen is gone. There will never be another Carmen. I am sad that I never got to say goodbye. I didn’t think she would pass away so fast. I thought she had another year where she would function at half speed. But, I can communicate easily with spirits, so I have had a few simple dialogues with Carmen.
JEREMY: How are things in the brighter world?
CARMEN: I’m getting a lot of rest.
JEREMY: What will I do without you?
CARMEN: Oh, don’t worry about it.
JEREMY: Do you have to wear face masks up there?
CARMEN: Ha ha…. no!!!
LIFE WITHOUT CARMEN
So, now I have to do all of Carmen’s work. I call all of the renewal people. It wouldn’t take that long except that the higher level people like to chat. Many of our higher level people have been with us for years, in some cases up to 20 years, and they have stories from long back. The bigger issue is not having to do her work. I am missing the new calls because I am not prepared to answer the phone all the time. I am not sure how I will hire someone new who will be acceptable and who will last.
And third, I miss Carmen because she is like a family member to me. She understood me well, and had very sensible advice for me about all of my issues. I didn’t necessarily agree with all of her advice, but most of it was good. I am very sad, lonely and don’t know what to expect of the future. The future doesn’t look very bright now, but you never know. I am going to try out several new ladies who seem promising.
With all of the bad vibes in the atmosphere due to the Covid19 issue, riots, and political upheaval, it seemed like the devil made his rounds to disrupt many cities, many lives, many political issues, etc. First there were Covid19 shutdowns which took away our rights. 80% of what I could do outside of the house was shut down or disappeared. Then the devil came to my neighborhood with the riots. A month later my site went down for a week. Actually that was done by angels for my protection, but felt like the devil was somehow involved. And then my site went back up, Carmen became incapacitated and then died shortly after. So much grief in just five months. No wonder I feel more depressed than I have felt in years.
Carmen was always there, usually answered the phone, only went on one quick vacation that I knew about which was a cruise in Mexico. But, she kept her phone with her so she was accessible. She even did phone duty while she was on Jury Duty. She was always there, and now she will never be there again.
I will have my psychic contact Carmen in the brighter world to see if she has anything she wants to tell the Notaries. My ability for spirit communication is okay for very quick questions and answers but not good enough for conversations. So, we will leave this up to Walter who is an expert.
Incoming phone communication to 123notary is basically almost impossible now. I answer some of my incoming calls. but, I really can’t get more than 10%. If you want to reach me fast, just use the email form on 123epayment.com. I am very slow by info@123notary.com, so if you are in a hurry, 123epayment.com is a little faster.
So for now, that is all I can say.
We all miss Carmen.
Comment by Teresa Samaniego — August 10, 2021 @ 9:50 pm
RIP, Carmen.
Comment by Betty — October 13, 2021 @ 5:06 pm
My heart goes out to you. Carmen was a really, really good friend as well as you have been for these 20 plus years. God-bless you both.
Samantha Klaburner
Comment by SAM KLABURNER — October 13, 2021 @ 5:11 pm
We all miss Carmen and was heart broken when we heard the news. RIP Carmen
Comment by Glenda Rooney — October 13, 2021 @ 5:11 pm
Jeremy, I am so sorry to hear about Carmen. She will be missed, Teddy Callahan
Comment by Teddy Callahan — October 13, 2021 @ 5:25 pm
Carmen was so personable, witty and funny. She gave me so much information that really helped grow my business and be a competent and confident Notary. She was a Class Act, there will never be another. I will miss talking to her and sharing the crazy stories of the Notary world. RIP Carmen
Comment by Karen Flores — October 13, 2021 @ 5:30 pm
My life has a big hole, miss Carmen and her wisdom a lot. She was a one of a kind treasure. May she Rest In Peace
Comment by Colleen Nugent — October 13, 2021 @ 5:34 pm
Sorry Jeremy. We all miss her. She’s our angel now.
Comment by Pat — October 13, 2021 @ 5:35 pm
Thanks for sharing this. Carmen helped me get started as a notary about 3 years ago. She was very helpful and got me on my way. She knew what she was doing and gave great advice. I was sorry to hear of her passing. RIP Carmen.
Comment by Scott Mortensen — October 13, 2021 @ 5:36 pm
Carmen was one of a kind! Class act! She taught me a lot within the last 15 years as a Notary Public. S.I.P Carmen!
Comment by SummersAllDay — October 13, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
Thank you for such a BEAUTIFUL tribute to a WONDERFUL lady! I still miss her and I know that I’ll never forget all of the love and support she gave each and everyone of us ESPECIALLY YOU JEREMY LOL! She’s in a much happier space along with my sweet Bonnie, my senior notary kitty and I’m sure they’re having a wonderful time together! Carmen loved everyone-human or fur persons!
Comment by Ellen Michaels — October 13, 2021 @ 6:01 pm
I will always treasure our conversations. No fluff, just straight to the point. All those “golden nuggets” she dropped on me, I pass on…..R.I.H dear Lady
Comment by Jannette Thompson — October 13, 2021 @ 6:13 pm
Carmen was so helpful whenever I called her. Agreat mentor. I was so sorry to hear about her loss.
Comment by geoffrey w simpson — October 13, 2021 @ 6:54 pm
THANK YOU FOR SHARING. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PICE YOU WROTE TO MEMORIALIZE HER. bEST WISHES TO YOU, AND BE WELL.
Comment by Sheila Burton — October 13, 2021 @ 8:38 pm
Carmen was the person who got me started on 123notary. She was an excellent teacher and always had the answer to any problems I may have encountered. She never rushed me off the phone and listened to my concerns without interruption. She pushed me to excel in the notary field. When it was time for me to renew my membership, she always reached out to me so I could get the “special” price. I always felt very special. Found out later on that she treated other notaries the same. I was totally shocked to learn of her quick demise and felt like I lost a friend. RIP Carmen. You left behind a hole in my heart.
Comment by ROSE TALLEY — October 13, 2021 @ 8:57 pm
Carmen was amazing! Always helpful and such a happy, positive soul!
I miss Carmen too. Hang in there Jeremy–I know it’s tough but you’ll survive and grow stronger!
I hope you can find someone at least 1/2 as good as Carmen!
Comment by Jayson Fugal — October 13, 2021 @ 10:05 pm
Carmen was a great person. I’m glad that I got to meet her, via the phone, and chat with her on a few occasions. She will be missed but, not forgotten
Comment by C. Cecelia Ariaz — October 13, 2021 @ 10:27 pm
My heart mourns for your loss.
Our loss.
R.ise I.n P.ower Carmen
Comment by Brehon Greene — October 13, 2021 @ 10:31 pm
so sorry for your loss and the loss to the notary world. I always enjoyed speaking with her. She was a class act! May her memory be a blessing to all her knew her.
Comment by Terri L Poster-Taylor — October 13, 2021 @ 11:33 pm
Carmen is an amazing light being. She always had great advice and insight. She wanted me to move to California to work instead of Arizona. I was a producer in Maryland and she told me I was an excellent notary – and she needed me in California…hahaha. Well Carmen, guess what? I am considering a move to California to be closer to my eldest son and granddaughter. Perhaps Jeremy and I should have a chat about attempting to meet your success with membership. I will miss you dearly. And Jeremy, I too am connected and felt it in my spirit that Carmen had walked over the Rainbow Bridge.
Comment by Esther Michaels — October 14, 2021 @ 1:16 am
The only conversation I had with Carmen was early on in my career I had done a few closings, have a real estate closing background and experience from the Buyer’s side. In addition there was insurance experience. So I Thought I knew it all until she laid the test on me. I was so immature! I did start studying and have been certified with other companies. I have yet felt smart enough to take the 123 test, still studying and will take before the year end. God Bless you Carmen and thanks for the education…
Comment by C Gary Bowers — October 14, 2021 @ 1:33 am
RIP Carmen! I’m sure you are in a better place than us down here dealing with all the changes in humanity.
Comment by Darlene Murphey-Jones — October 14, 2021 @ 2:54 pm
I enjoyed conversation with Carmen. I will miss her.
Comment by Robyn Carlson — October 14, 2021 @ 7:48 pm
I worked with Ms.Carmen a few times over the years in signing up or a question. One thing I can say about her – she always gave it to me straight. No maybe or yea or I don’t know. She will be missed.
Comment by Steven Raymond Eakin — October 15, 2021 @ 4:41 am
Sad news, indeed. Thank you Jermy for your thoughts
Comment by John Cown — October 15, 2021 @ 1:53 pm
Carmen R.I.P lovely lady! We talked so many times and you were such an inspiration to me. I didn’t hear of your passing for awhile after you were taken from all of us. I was lost hearing of your passing. I remember all our conversations. You were a wonderful lady and mentor. There are so many nasty things going on in this world right now, you are in a better place for sure. Just know you will always be remembered and you were so loved by so many of us.
Comment by Rita Jones — October 16, 2021 @ 4:02 am
May her soul rest in peace. My condolences.
Comment by Rula — October 16, 2021 @ 4:14 am
Loved her! ALWAYS got back to you if she was on another line. Taught me a lot, and I did so appreciate her personal touch and understanding.
Always wanted to meet her and I know one day I will. Very blessed to have had her on my side and she will be forever remembered.♥️
Comment by Barbara — October 16, 2021 @ 4:33 am
Very good for insight into your relationship with Carnen. Thank you for that!
Comment by Rhonda Anthony — March 20, 2022 @ 9:31 am
I sorely miss “That Notary Gal.” My heart sank when i learned she had passed.enjoy the bright side, Carmen.
Comment by Patricia Davis — May 4, 2022 @ 5:59 pm