Carol Lee Wathen

Carol Lee Wathen, born in St. Petersburg, Florida on August 22, 1935 to George and Frances (Lewis) Lacy, died August 1, 2026. To encapsulate the woman that Carol Lee was in a few paragraphs is nearly impossible. Her joy, her laughter, her love and compassion are how we will remember her.

Carol Lee was a 1953 graduate of St. Petersburg High School where she was an active student including being a member of the National Thespian Society, the Pan-American Club and the Keyettes, serving as Junior class VP, Senior class Senate President, and being voted “Miss Knows Everyone.” She certainly carried that title for the rest of her life! One of her greatest blessings was then graduating from Maryville College in Tennessee, majoring in Philosophy and Christian Education. While a student there, she again was very active, joining Vesper Choir, Student Volunteers, Madrigal Singers, and other social groups, while also serving the local Presbyterian Church as a youth Sunday School teacher and directing the adult choir.

One month after graduation, she married her husband Ed, to whom she was married for 58 years, until his passing in 2015. They lived for a short time in Frankfort, Kentucky, where Carol Lee began working as Director of Christian Education at the First Presbyterian Church, and also taught music and English at a local school. However, when her father suffered a stroke, Carol Lee and Ed moved back to her childhood home in St. Petersburg to help care for her parents.

Many wonderful memories were created in that home. Carol Lee and Ed were blessed to have been able to adopt two beautiful babies. Their son Jim (wife Linda) and daughter Cindy (partner Luis) can recount many stories of the numerous family trips to visit relatives in Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Ohio. Local trips to Lake Wales included hearing the Bok Tower bells, rolling uphill at “Spook Hill,” and yearly visits to Circle F Dude Ranch. Camping at Fort De Soto Park, meeting cousins to watch a rocket launch on the east coast, and having fun at Walt Disney World are just a few of the many childhood memories they cherish. Carol Lee also loved visits from both her niece Twana Skrobot (husband Peter) and nephew Clifton Clark (wife Jennifer).

From an early age, Carol Lee’s greatest joy was showing that she cared for others. Her participation in Presbytery events is what Carol Lee was called to do, not to please herself, but to serve others and honor God. She served in many, many roles just a few of which were providing childcare in the nursery department, organizing a Christian Youth Council, teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies, and directing a multitude of Christian Education programs. She was hired by First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg as a Membership Secretary, but her service blossomed. She accompanied older adults to yearly Montreat Conferences, chaperoned youth to both Montreat and Cedarkirk, and helped establish an annual weekend church camp for entire families. She was part of the leadership staff for the Presbyterian Women, received the Life Membership Award from the Women of the Church, offered pastoral care to shut-ins and hospitalized members as Director of Visitation and Membership Care, and served on numerous committees. She was honored to serve as a Deacon, Elder, and Stephen Minister, having been instrumental in establishing the Stephen Ministry group at First Presbyterian.

Carol Lee shared her love for music by joining the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir at Church and also Westminster Palm’s choir. She made some exciting trips with lifelong friends across the US, as well as leading several group tours with “Travel is Fun.” Over the years, she enjoyed engaging with the community as a volunteer in schools, church, and theater; supported The Salvation Army, Hospice and Ronald McDonald House; organized high school and college reunions; signed up new voters with the Supervisor of Elections; and was a Girl Scout leader.

After several decades, Carol Lee retired from First Presbyterian to care for her ailing husband, and they moved to Westminster Palms. Having served on the Westminster Communities of Florida Board of Directors for several years before moving in, Carol Lee was excited to experience this wonderful community firsthand. Inevitably, retirement did not slow her down. Being the generous caretaker of her neighbors, she made many contributions to her fellow residents and staff. She was the driving force behind “Sunday Morning Fellowship,” a weekly spiritual program for residents in the Nursing Center and she served on numerous committees including Resident Council, Library, Gift Shop, Choir, Caring Companions, Welcoming, and The Green Committee. Since she was the consummate volunteer and “ambassador of good cheer and kindness,” it’s not surprising that she was voted Westminster Palm’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year! (She’d actually been nominated several times prior, but declined, wanting others to receive the honor!)

She lived a life filled with love, laughter, and the joy of family and friends, and will remain forever in our hearts. But, to sum up Carol Lee’s life…

She made a difference.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 1:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in her memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church (FPC Online Giving) or to your favorite charity.