Obituary of Carole Lillie Atwood

Atwood, Carole L., age 100, of St. Petersburg passed away May 6, 2024 at home. Born in St. Petersburg, Carole spent her youth in Florida except for a brief time in Haiti where her father served as an electrical engineer with the Haitian Corporation of America. She graduated from Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach. Carole is preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Eleanor Lillie; her husband of 57 years until his death in 1999, Marion D. (Del) Odell; her second husband Robert D. Atwood; and her daughter-in-law, Kathy Curtin. She is survived by her four children Susan C. Nielsen (Gordon), Nancy E. Odell, Gail O. Lancaster (Phil), and Richard W. Odell; five grandchildren Stephanie Lockerbie (Craig), Jennifer Randolph (William), Mary Lancaster, David Lancaster, and Casey Odell; five great-grandchildren Miranda Cooper (Glynn), Connor Siebert, Jesse Randolph, Madilyn Lancaster, and Kyla Lancaster.

Carole and Del lived and raised their family in Vicksburg, MS from 1943 until retiring to St. Petersburg in 1980. She was always active in the Episcopal Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, singing in the choir, and serving as leader in the Episcopal Church Women’s organization. In recent years she joined Faith Covenant Church. She served as a Girl Scout Troop leader and mentored a group of girls, who fondly refer to her as Ms. O., from childhood to graduation from high school. Carole enjoyed crafts and discovered a particular love for miniatures. Many people who visited her home were delighted by the miniature displays and doll houses that she had made. She had a ready smile and made even the most casual acquaintances feel special.

There will be a grave side service at Bay Pines National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.