Carol Ann Waters

Carol was born July 2, 1939, to George and Opal Kahler in Joplin, Missouri. After graduating from Willow Springs High School in 1957 she earned her BA degree from Drury College. Carol was passionate about nature, conservation and photography. She worked as a teacher and dreamed of traveling the world, which led her to become an International Flight Hostess for Trans World Airlines. Carol met the love of her life, Pan Am Airlines Captain Douglas Ray Waters of Dorchester, Texas. The two were married April 1970 and lived in New York, Berlin and Pompano Beach before settling in Jacksonville, Florida, to be close to Carol’s family.

After her husband’s death in 2004, Carol stayed busy in her community and beyond. She was an award-winning floral designer and active member of the Garden Club of Jacksonville, serving as president for four years. Having no children of her own, Carol was passionate about church ministries for kids. She once wrote that “any church that lets me sing songs about Jesus with children is the church for me!” Carol was deeply devoted to the Presbyterian church, spending much of her time organizing events and volunteering to teach youths in prison and vacation Bible school. She was also a cheerful giver, contributing generously to a wide variety of charities and causes all over the world. With her bubbly personality and genuine love for people, Carol never met a stranger. When she made friends, they were friends for life. Carol was known for doting on her loved ones with regular greeting cards, phone calls, prayers, and special visits. No distance was too far for Carol. She amazingly maintained friendships from her childhood until her death.

Carol is survived by her brother George C. Kahler (Dianne), nephew Aaron Kahler (Charleigh, Cordelia and Adele Kahler) and niece Lauren Kahler Simonic (Godiva, Nicholas, Aleksandar and Silas Simonic).

The family will be holding a private burial at Riverside Memorial Park on September 28, 2024.

A public celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., October 19, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, 118 E. Monroe St. Jacksonville, FL 32202.