Mrs. Carolyn Lee Lail

Carolyn Lee Lail, age 85, of Alpharetta, passed away Saturday, February 14. She was born on September 7, 1940, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Charles Clifford Lee and Helen Adams Lee. Growing up in Ben Hill, she graduated from Brown High School and maintained friendships with classmates throughout her life. During her college years at Georgia State, she met Charlie Lail on a blind date. He swept her off her feet with such antics as proposing to her while driving down the road. “He pulled the ring out of the glove compartment and tossed it to me asking, ‘What do you think of that?’” she later said. However things started, they lasted well for over 64 years of marital bliss. In 1961, Carol got married in February, graduated from college in May and gave birth to their first child in December. She then went to work to “put Charlie through school” before having two more sons later in the decade. Charlie and Carol moved to Newnan, Georgia in 1971, and became active members of the community. Carol taught school, mentored high school youth at First United Methodist Church, and volunteered at the hospital. In 1975, the long-awaited daughter arrived and the family was complete. The years in Newnan were some of Carol’s favorites, and she rounded out the time there by earning a master’s degree at West Georgia. Seven years in Marietta followed, during which Carol taught kindergarten, worked at the Red Cross and managed her household well. The family found its way to North Fulton in 1988, and Carol immersed herself in renovating their home and getting involved in the community, again by substitute teaching and joining Alpharetta Methodist Church. Children got married and grandkids came, and in 1998 Charlie retired, leaving them time to travel extensively and continue involvement at church. Always up for a party, they entertained friends and family often at “Holly Road.” She used that hosting and cooking experience to restart Wednesday night suppers at church, leading a ministry of “Sheep Feeders” in shopping, preparing and serving hundreds of people every week while generating a profit for the church. Along with her parents, Carol is preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Joel Lail, Sr. and her son, Charlie Joel Lail, Jr. She is survived by sons Chris (Karla) Lail of Sharpsburg and Patrick (Charlotte) Lail of Atlanta, daughter Betsy (Dave) Fitzhenry of Rydal, daughter-in-law Nancy Lail of Buford, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandsons. The funeral will take place at 2:00pm on Sunday, February 22, with a reception to follow at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Carol.

Mrs. Carolyn Lee Lail

September 7, 1940 - February 14, 2026