Obituary
Carol Sue Welker passed away peacefully in her home on April 6, 2024, in Winter Park, Florida. She was 87 years old but delighted in telling everyone she was ‘almost 90’.
Carol was born on June 25, 1936, in Charleston, W.V., to Waldo and Lulu (McBride) Clark. Carol often shared fond memories of growing up in West Virginia and she treasured the friendships she made in elementary through high school. She remained in contact with childhood friends right up until her death.
Carol was the youngest of four sisters. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Reita Pearson, Shirley Slayden-Pingley, and Joyce Jarrett. She was fortunate to maintain relationships with her nieces and nephews, and their children. Those family members continued to honor her place as the remaining sister and family matriarch with their affection and their visits.
Carol attended college at West Virginia University before leaving school to marry the father of her two children. Her son Benjamin Camden Turner Jr., is now deceased, while her daughter Teresa Faye Parnell resides in Winter Park, Florida with her husband Robert Randell. Carol has two grandchildren, Tiffany Anne Hughes and Edward Nicholas Parnell, Jr. Carol was an immensely supportive, fun, and active grandmother. She thoroughly enjoyed this role from the time they were babies through watching their countless school performances and sporting events.
In 1963, Carol moved to Orlando, Florida where she embraced the weather and the opportunities. She learned to water ski, dabbled in modeling, and took care of her children. Through Welcome Wagon and her neighborhood, first Pine Hills and later College Park, she met women with whom she remained devoted, lifelong friends.
In 1983, Carol found her passion and the focus of her life as a realtor, officially retiring in 2021 just after her 85th birthday. She delighted in matching families with homes. A turning point in her career and her life was her connection with Cru, then known as Campus Crusade for Christ. Once this connection was made, matching families to homes became not only her life’s work but also her ministry. Through her hard work and the many blessings received, she was able to bless others with her time, her care, and her financial support. In turn, the work was a blessing to her and helped her stay vibrant for a very long time. The greatest joy in her later years was helping the children of prior home buyers, now young adults, find their first homes.
Carol attended numerous churches in her adult years, enjoying the opportunity to learn about the Bible, pray, and connect, while again forming valuable friendships that endured over many years. Carol returned to Methodist churches for the last two decades of her life. The burial service is private but the Memorial Service open to all will be at College Park Methodist Church, 644 W Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32804 at 10:00 AM on Saturday May 11th.
A vivacious and social person, Carol was known as a stylish dresser, with a collection of matching shoes, costume jewelry in every color, and her ever-present bottle of Diet Coke. She was loved by many and her presence here on earth will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to, College Park United Methodist Church, United Abolitionists, or Cru.
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