Caroline Wingate

Born in 1937 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Henry A. Wingate, Sr., and Elizabeth Cooper Fyfe, Caroline pursued higher education with dedication, attending Tulane University and graduating from Judson College.

Caroline Wingate lived a life that told a story like a tapestry. On the warp and weft of words and purpose, the stories were woven with a love for art, adventure, activity, friendships, and family.

Professionally, she was a journalist, driven by curiosity and facts, to share what was happening around the world with her readers and to make a difference here at home. She traveled extensively around the world, to places as colorful and varied as Italy, Peru, Bolivia, Jordan, Czech Republic, Israel, and many more.

Retirement was not a time to slow down. Her love for tennis continued, often with twice weekly matches and occasional tournaments. She was a Master Docent at the Birmingham Museum of Art, serving there for 15 years. Her Slow Art Sunday program became one of the most well-attended recurring events, giving her an opportunity to share the art and engage with patrons on a deeper level. Work as a freelance editor enabled Caroline to continue serving in her love of words. And travel throughout Alabama gave her plenty of opportunity to explore and share her love of folk art - primarily in prints, quilts, and pottery.

In her home, you could find a well curated art collection, with items representing her travels, support for local folk artists, and a variety of pigs - ceramic, carved, and a free-standing wooden puzzle. Caroline was nearly always sharing her home with a rescue dog, frequently Jack Russells, and they accompanied her everywhere she was able to take them. Through the years, she described herself as a “yellow-dog Democrat” and supporter of social justice and later, humorously, as an “ink-stained wretch (ret).”

Of course, these bits are all facts that give you a glimpse of her life and story. The true color, however, comes in the words of those who knew her best: impeccable charm and good manners, gracious hostess, game for pretty much any adventure, great sense of humor, loved to laugh, a good and true friend, a very special person, curious, intelligent, welcoming and affirming, complex and rewarding, dearest, treasured, exceptional, grace, wit. They don’t make them like her anymore. She lived a rich life in this world.

She is survived by her brothers, Henry A. Wingate, Jr. and William Fyfe III (Juli); her nieces and nephews, Stephen Wingate (Jennifer), Will Fyfe (Sutton), Jacob Fyfe (Sarah), Adam Fyfe (Meg), Judith Wingate McCray (Buster), and Alisa Fyfe Anderson (Mark); as well as a host of extended family members and many cherished friends.

May we all remember fondly and be inspired by the life embraced and embodied by Caroline Wingate.

A memorial gathering will be held at Ridout's Elmwood Chapel on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.