Caroline B. Morell, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, family member and friend, peacefully passed from this life on February 1, 2017, to be with her Lord. Born in Pennsylvania, and having previously lived most of her life in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia, and Port Charlotte, Florida, she had been a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia for the past 13 years. She made her home in Virginia Beach at the First Colonial Inn, an adult residential community.

At 100 years of age, she had lived a long, rich, and full life. As one of the older of ten children born to immigrant parents, she helped care for her younger brothers and sisters when she was not much older than they were. Her father was a coal miner, and while in her teens, Caroline left home to find work so she could help contribute to the family’s support.

She met the love of her life, R. Coy Morell, in Washington, D.C. while working as a waitress. She reports that upon his meeting her for the first time, he told his companions: “That’s the woman I’m going to marry”. They were married for 52 years until her beloved “Coy” passed away in 1989.

Caroline Morell was mother to four children, Raymond, Kohanna, Randy, and Richard. Raymond Morell, who lived in Maryland and was married to Morri Lou, passed away in February 2016. Her daughter, Kohanna Miller and husband, Vernon, live in Florida. Her youngest son, Richard Morell, lives in Georgia, and her other son, Randy Morell and his wife, Dolores, reside in Virginia Beach.

Caroline Morell was blessed to be the grandmother of seven grandchildren, and the great-grandmother of seven great-grandchildren. She was also aunt to several nieces and nephews, to whom she was their “Aunt Carlie”. To many friends and neighbors, she was simply known as “Carlie”. Although her other brothers and sisters have passed away, she is still survived by her youngest sister, Cecilia McKenzie, of California.

Those who knew her knew how much she loved her family, and also how much she loved to cook. It was as if it was her special way of saying “I love you” to those she served. While each person likely had their own favorite dish, her golden fried chicken, Polish golupki, coconut cream and lemon meringue pies were often requested by family and friends.

She loved gardening, and was renowned for her “green thumb”. It was rumored she could get a broom to sprout and grow, given enough time and attention. She loved music, particularly classical music. But she also loved polkas, and her favorite one to sing was from the World War II vintage “Beer Barrel Polka” a/k/a “Roll Out the Barrel”. In recent years all who spent any amount of time with her would routinely be treated with her rendition of its chorus. The words still echo: “Roll out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun . . .”

A life long Roman Catholic, Caroline found strength and meaning in her faith. In Virginia Beach she attended either Church of the Holy Family or Star of the Sea Church, as transportation needs dictated. She now has the joy of being in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the One to whom her faith pointed.

It is hard, if not impossible, to comprehend the changes that Caroline witnessed over the 100 years of her life. Things so often taken for granted today were unheard of, and even unthought-of, back in 1916. She was often given to remark as she grew older: “You know, if you live long enough, you’ll get to see just about everything”. Despite all the changes that she experienced, though, the one constant in her life was her love and caring for friends and family.

Join with us as we, her family, experience a sense of loss at her passing, but also celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider instead a contribution to “Special Olympics Virginia”, which Caroline also supported.

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