Carol Snell Patton

Carol Snell Patton, 76, a wonderful caring daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend was taken on May 2, 2023. 

Carol was a New Year Baby, born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania to Harold and Miriam. Carol has an older sister Patty and younger brother Harold. They grew up on the family farm in Pennsylvania until her father moved the family to Gainesville, Fl so he could finish his Master's Degree at the University of Florida.  Her mother enjoyed the beach and took the kids to Atlantic Beach, this is where Carol fell in love with the ocean.  Carol was in 4th grade when her father Harold moved the family to Athens, Georgia.  While in Athens, Carol was in several beauty pageants and was a member of the synchronized swim team. This love for the water continued during many summers as Carol was a swim instructor and spent many summers as a counselor at camp Thunderbird. During Carol's junior year of high school, she was an exchange student and was the first American student to go to Cowra, Australia.  This visit built a forever Australian family for Carol.  When Carol returned she received her Undergraduate and Master's Degree from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) 

Carol moved to Florida with her husband and 2 boys Brett and Eric Snell. Carol then began her 40 year teaching career for the Pasco County School System.  Carol was a 3rd generation teacher.  She taught elementary school for several years before taking a job at a new program called the Energy and Marine Center (EMC). Here her love of the ocean and marine science allowed her to have a unique hands-on experience with various age school kids with field trips to this facility located on the Gulf of Mexico.  Carol was also instrumental in doing inservice training for other science teachers during her career. 

During her retirement Carol enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and most recently her great grandson. She also had the opportunity to travel quite often to visit her Australian family. 

Carol was a truly great woman whose impact will be forever felt by her family, who loves her dearly.  She was a selfless woman whose passing left an unfillable gap in the hearts of her loved ones.  Her ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive and love will be forever ingrained in all whom she knew.

A Celebration of Carol’s life is scheduled for 10am June 3rd, 2023, at Calvary Church Eastlake Campus, 1190 East Lake Rd. S, Tarpon Springs, Fl 34698.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for a donation to the Ocean Conservancy or to plant a tree.