Carol Watkins Wilder Obituary (1936 - 2016)

Evelyn "Carol" Watkins Wilder, 80, lived deeply and wholeheartedly from her birth on the 7th of July, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah to parents Verla Carrie Krogh and Harold James Watkins, to her return to our heavenly home on the 3rd of December, 2016. A dearly beloved mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, friend ~ she was a vivacious inspiration to all who knew her. Carol, as her name so perfectly exemplifies, was and is as a song of love, of laughter, of passion—in each of our lives— now and eternally. Ever a rocket, even in her teen years, Carol was a forger of her own path from Miss Business in 1954 to Miss Rocky Mountain. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her from businesses coast to coast, dressing women in confidence through professional attire and sportswear fashion. In 1960 she put roots down in her Lynchburg, Virginia store. Shortly thereafter, her secret courtship with rival clothier, Ronald Neil Wilder, began and resulted in their being wed in 1962. Carol always said with a grin, "I had to marry him or I would have put him out of business!" Ron and Carol's greatest joy came as they became loving parents to Ross Harvey in 1963, Lisa Lynne in 1964 and Wendy Susan in 1968. Everything that Ron and Carol touched 'turned to gold' including Red Robin—their designer women's clothing label. In 1970, Carol and Ron's paths diverged, and Carol returned to Salt Lake City. She spent all possible moments with her children—creating her own home profession to do so—terming herself as a "Real Estate Researcher" primarily working with ERA Village Realtors. Many knew Carol, not from her stunningly beautiful face and sparkling blue eyes, but from her melodic, rich, deep voice on the other end of the telephone. Each day was encapsulated in love-filled, gourmet meals that were fit for royalty, but served to tiny-handed children—who couldn't even reach their feet to the ground—while dining on 3 course meals from their gourmet chef-mother. After raising Ross, Lisa and Wendy, she became the most loving caregiver to her own mother for 20 nurturing years. Carol was also known as E.C Wilder of Wilder Properties, carrying on her family legacy of providing rental properties in the Salt Lake Valley. She always made each house feel as a home to her tenants. Upon her 80th birthday, just months ago, Carol finally passed on these keys to her children and retired to the Sagewood Community at Daybreak. She referred to her new life with her extended loving Sagewood family like "going off to college once more". She was overjoyed by the blessings that were overflowing in her new ~"Home Sweet Home". Never being known as Evelyn, Carol was as Eve, a mother to all… Those sparkling aquamarine eyes, her radiance, her zest for life, will forever live in the hearts of those who were so blessed to have her spirit greet theirs. As she always said, "It's half past kissing time, time to kiss again!" May we honor her legacy by loving as she loved, and giving as she gave ~ so divinely. Carol is survived by her three children: Ross Wilder (Ladawan "Mookie" Wilder), Lisa Wilder and Wendy Wilder Meadows (Steve Meadows); grandchildren: Crystal Wilder Timmons (Aaron Timmons), Natalie Meadows Eggleston (Adam Eggleston), Taylor Meadows, Raymond Wilder, Sabrina Wilder, Adam Meadows, Grace Meadows; great grandchildren: Aiden Wilder, Presley Timmons, and Addison Timmons. Sister: Sylvia Capes (Allen Capes). She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Ronald Harold Watkins, Lynn Floyd Watkins and Ronald Neil Wilder. A gathering will be held for Carol Wilder on Saturday, December 17 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 West South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM. The Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A celebration of Carol's brilliant life and gentle influence will be held Saturday the 17th of December 2016 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley. Donations in honor of Carol Wilder can be made to benefit the Christmas Box House in Salt Lake City, Utah to honor her love of children, especially at this sacred time of the year. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT