CAROLYN R. WILSON's Obituary
WILSON, CAROLYN ROGERS, 91, passed away peacefully at home on May 10, 2014, after an extended illness. She was born to Dewey and Grace Hartley Rogers in Statesboro, Georgia. At the age of three, her family moved to Miami, Florida, and endured the 1926 hurricane in their car after the roof to their home was blown off. Carolyn and her family remained in Miami and throughout the Great Depression she helped them financially by going to work at the age of thirteen. She was a graduate of Miami Senior High where she graduated at the top of her class. She was offered a scholarship to Agnes Scott College but due to her family's financial situation she had to decline the scholarship and instead started working at various banks and in the import/export business. She met and married her husband, Claude S. Wilson, in Miami during World War II. After the wedding, Claude had to return to Panama where he was stationed. During the separation, they corresponded frequently and Claude saved the many beautiful letters she had written him. She was quite a gifted writer. In 1959, Carolyn and Claude opened Wilson and Tatham Insurance, which is still operating today. Their son Gary is now president of the company. She continued to work until her retirement in 2003. She and her husband were fortunate to be able to travel to such countries as China and countries throughout Europe. She was a past President of Soroptomist International of Coral Gables and a member and past president of the Reserve Officers Association Ladies (ROAL) Carolyn was preceded by her daughter Claudia Wilson Nelson, her husband of 64 years Claude Wilson, and her sister Betty Eveland. She is survived by her son Gary (Gina Read) of Miami, daughter Donna Garrett (Lowell) of Gainesville, son-in-law Thomas Nelson of Winter Springs and five grandchildren, Blythe Garrett, Megan Nelson (Dale Strawn), Carolyn and John Nelson, Roger Billings, and one great grandson, Hunter Thomas Strawn. The family would like to thank her caregivers, Roger Billings, Lisa Hubert, and Victoria Valencia for the many years of loving and excellent care they gave Carolyn. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in her memory to Alzheimer's Association or Doctors Without Borders . The family will be receiving friends on Friday May 23, 2014 at Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Celebration of Life service at 8:00 PM. Carolyn will be laid to rest at Woodlawn North on May 24, 2014
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