Carol Singletary Meier of Floral City, FL and Black Mountain, NC, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025 at the age of 66. She is survived by her devoted husband, Bob, of Floral City: their children, Colin and Jennifer, of Atlanta, GA; and her mother, Gorda Singletary, of Wilmington, NC. She also leaves behind two beloved siblings: Henry Singletary and his wife Cathy, of Wilmington, NC; and Greta Barnes and her husband Watson, of Wrightsville Beach, NC. Carol was predeceased by her father, Dr. Henry “Hank” Singletary, a respected member of the medical community in Wilmington for over 36 years.
Carol was born in Philadelphia, PA, where she spent her first year while her father completed residency at Hahnemann Medical College. The family soon settled in Wilmington, NC, where Carol attended Cape Fear Academy and graduated from New Hanover High School. Inspired by early visits to her father’s pathology lab, Carol developed a lifelong passion for science. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wake Forest University with a degree in Biology and continued her education at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, specializing in Microbiology as a Medical Technologist.
Her career took her to hospitals including St. Francis Xavier in Charleston, SC; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa; Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, where she retired in 2018. After retiring, Carol remained active, teaching swimming at the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA in Buckhead and the YMCA of Black Mountain, NC. She especially cherished helping adults overcome their fear of water.
Carol often said her primary job was that of a Navy Wife, sometimes referred to as “the toughest job in the Navy”. She supported Bob”s career as they moved to Naval Air Station Moffett Field, RAF Kinloss in Scotland, and Naval Station Charleston, SC. Later, she supported Bob’s continued service in the Naval Reserve and his civilian career with Northern Trust Bank in Southwest Florida and Atlanta, where they raised their two children.
Service to others was a central part of Carol’s life. She gave her time generously as a volunteer with American Hospice of Atlanta, the Atlanta History Center, Clifton Night Shelter, and the Agape Center. Most recently, she became involved with the Floral City Historical Council, reflecting her deep interest in local history. Carol was a member of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Carolina Yacht Club, ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists), and Daughters of the American Revolution, Annuttaliga Chapter.
Carol was also an avid walker. Her favorite places to walk included Wrightsville Beach and Burghead, Scotland; the neighborhoods of Davis Island, McGregor Boulevard, Chastain Park, Duval Island and Black Mountain. She especially enjoyed her Tuesday routine of dance class at the Citrus Academy of Dance followed by Bible Study at St. Margaret’s. It was these friendships, along with the love of her family and neighbors in Floral City and Black Mountain that nourished her strong and courageous spirit.
Carol lived a life marked by dedication, kindness, and quiet generosity. She will be remembered most for her thoughtfulness – never putting herself before others, and always making those around her feel seen, heard and valued. Her gentle everyday acts of kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
A service will be held at Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 114 N. Osceola Avenue, Inverness, FL on August 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. A Committal Service will take place in Wilmington, NC, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church or the Floral City Heritage Council.
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