Carol Watson Teague

At the age of 62, Carol Watson Teague, of Atlanta, GA, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, following a battle with breast cancer and an infection which her body could not defeat. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, L. Barry Teague, by daughters, Terri Teague Frazier and Catherine Blake Teague and sons Ben David and Matthew Lawrence Teague, daughter-in-law, Jessica Maki Teague and two beautiful grandchildren whom she adored, Olivia Jane and Theodore Lawrence Teague. In addition, she is survived by one sister, Alice Candler Parker, and three brothers: David Calvin Deriso, William Carey Deriso, and Timothy Wayne Deriso. She is predeceased by her brother, Donald Edward Deriso, her mother, Elsie Mae Deriso, and her father, T. Ben Watson.

The oldest of six children, Carol was born February 20, 1947, in Leslie, Georgia. She attended Georgia Southwestern College and moved to Atlanta in 1970 to work at Trust Company Bank. Soon thereafter, she met the love of her life. Barry and Carol married in 1973 and enjoyed a life filled with family and friends overflowing. An avid reader, she had a hunger for the Word of God and loved sharing it with others. She was a longtime member of Roswell Street Baptist Church and more recently, The Church of the Apostles. She also actively delved deeper into the Word through her membership in Bible Study Fellowship.

She had a whimsical nature, a contagious enthusiasm for life, and an appreciation for God’s amazing creation. She brought such fun into the lives of those around her. She was an encourager and touched many lives with her quiet, Godly service to others. Her love of family and friends was a reflection of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and she was happiest singing some hymn to His glory while twirling around, dancing for the simple joy of it. Her home was a warm and welcoming place, filled with flowers and her special gift of Godly hospitality. Without hesitation, there was always “room in her inn.” She loved entertaining and creating memorable moments for those she loved. She had a way of making things just a little more special and wanted to give people the desires of their hearts.

Becoming a grandmother brought her immense joy, and Carol savored every moment to the fullest, reveling in the love of her grandchildren, to whom she was fondly known as simply “Nana.” She was always eager to tell people about them and lifted them up constantly in prayer. She knew what was really important – faith and family – and she lived it out daily. Always hopeful and full of love, she felt an immense gratitude for her many blessings, knowing that everything belonged to her God. She always said, “My cup over flows!”

She loved her family and friends without condition and enjoyed a host of cherished long-time friends. Her husband, her children and her grandchildren, she loved with a deep passion, but her influence and love were felt by many more. Her ability to listen without judging and to encourage without dictating made her home a refuge for those seeking comfort. A caretaker by nature, Carol was an oasis for many, and because of her generosity and caring, many family members feel that some of the most joyous moments of their lives were wrapped up in Barry and Carol. It is a wonderful testimony to her life that so many people loved her.

It was evident to all who saw the purity and reverence of Carol’s life that her greatest beauty did not come from her outer self, but from the unfading beauty of her gentle and quiet spirit, which was of great worth in the sight of God and those who were privileged to know her and love her. (I Peter 3:2-4)

Funeral services will be held at The Church of the Apostles on Saturday, January 29th at 10:30 AM. The church is located at 3585 Northside Parkway, NW, Atlanta, GA. Services will be conducted by Michael Youssef. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center of Atlanta, 100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, and/or Good Samarian Health Clinic of Cobb County, 1605 Roberta Drive, Marietta, GA 30008, and/or Parents with a Purpose, c/o Milford Church of God, 3950 Hicks Road, Austell, GA 30106.

Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill in Atlanta, GA.