Linda Carolyn Meclewski Matheny went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 6, 2021 at the age of 77 after a brief illness. Born in St. Augustine, Florida on December 24, 1943, Carol was the oldest child of Peter P. Meclewski and Willa Mae Meclewski (Mickler). Carol was a lifelong resident of North Florida. Attending local public schools, Carol was a member of the 1961 graduating class at Robert E. Lee High School. While there she was a member of the National Honor Society, was active in several clubs and organizations, and also where she met her future husband, Larry. Carol then attended Stetson University on an art scholarship for one year before transferring and then graduating from the University of Florida in April, 1966 with a Master’s Degree in Art Education. At Florida she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and the University's Angel Flight organization. Shortly after graduating she and Larry were married and they moved to Del Rio, Texas and then Sherman, Texas while Larry was in pilot training with the U.S. Air Force. While in Texas, Carol taught art in the public schools winning several awards from the local school districts. Returning to Jacksonville, Carol continued to teach art education in the Duval County School District while being active with her church work.
In 1977, Carol joined Watson Realty as a residential sales agent. Successful from the very beginning, her career peaked in the mid-1980's when she led the company in annual residential sales on multiple occasions. With the arrival of their fourth child in 1986, Carol retired from the commercial world to focus exclusively on her family and her church activities. During her lifetime Carol worked with several not-for-profit organizations and was a second grade Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville for many years. In her later years she enjoyed painting at their summer home in Waynesville, North Carolina and traveling. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Larry, two sons, Douglas and David (Jennifer) both of the Charlotte, North Carolina area and two daughters, Elizabeth Henderson (Eric) of St. Augustine and Laura Walls of Jacksonville Beach. Her 11 grandchildren are Ruby Matheny, Abigail Henderson, Eli Henderson, Isaac Henderson, Levi Henderson, Olivia Matheny, Zoe Matheny, Lawson Walls, Jackson Walls, Hudson Walls, and Leighton Walls. She was predeceased by a niece, Kristin Weaver of League City, Texas and is survived by a sister, Phyllis Dedrick of Sarasota, Florida.
A celebration of Carol's life will be held at the Church of Eleven-22, San Pablo Campus (Corner of Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road) on Wednesday, May 12th at 11:00 AM. Private interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that donations be made to the McGraw Hospice Center at 4715 Worral Way, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 904-737-7171. Please sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com.
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