Celebrating the life of
Carolyn Wood Solana
September 28, 1927 - March 26, 2016
Savannah- Carolyn Nell Wood Solana, daughter of Aline and Roger Wood who started Roger Wood Foods over 80 years ago, added a wonderful measure of spice to all the lives she encountered. She left this world surrounded by family on Saturday, March 26th, after 88 very full years.
Carolyn grew up in Savannah and was educated at Wesleyan College where she made lifelong friends. In the summer of 1948, she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Mathew Solana, Jr. After graduation from UGA, the couple moved to Savannah so that Joe could work with his father-in-law at Roger Wood Packing Company. In the late fifties, they moved to a beautiful home on the bluff at Isle of Hope with three small children. One more child arrived shortly after the move, and then the "Isle of Hope life" really set in. Boating, crabbing, fishing, and enjoying the dock and front porch became a way of life for the "salty" young mother and her family. The kids eventually grew up, but she always retained her love of swimming in the river, catching trout, picking crabs, and enjoying gentle breezes on her dock or front porch. After losing Joe, the love of her life in 1989, she really focused on her children, grandchildren, and eventually her great-grandchildren. She was always kind and hospitable to the many friends and neighbors passing her home, and gradually became known as the matriarch of Bluff Drive. "Carrie" was always willing to share her beautiful home with folks who needed a place for a wedding or a photography shoot, or just neighbors wanting to enjoy the view for a bit. She also gave several Hollywood production companies a good dose of her Southern hospitality as they did shoots there. Carolyn had a penchant for simplifying complex matters. If you didn't want to know what she thought about something, you'd better not ask! She would call it as she saw it. Words to describe her would be funny, sassy, sweet, giving, patient, warm, and kind. Carolyn loved her family at Isle of Hope Methodist Church, and was instrumental in the beginnings of the "Day on the Island". She was recognized for her love of our coastal area and eventually was put in leadership positions with the IOH Historical Society and the Froebel Circle on Tybee Island.
Her great grandchildren said that Gigi was their best friend and that she never forgot their birthday no matter how sick she was. From her oldest child to the youngest great-grand (in-laws included), Carolyn Solana was absolutely loved and adored by her family.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband, a brother, Cyrus Wood, and her grandson, Gray Solana.
She is survived by her children, Debbie (John) Rauers, Matt (Marilyn), David (Nancy), and Mark (Graham) Solana, all of Savannah; grandchildren, Amy (James) Whitaker, Katie (Craig) Beese, Page (Miller) Hamrick, Nancy Solana Hauser, Jacob and Chris Rauers, Joe, Henry, and Mary Tippins Solana, as well as 11 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
The Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church. Burial will be private.
Remembrances may be made to Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406 or The Fresh Air Home P. O. Box 14144, Savannah, GA 31416.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Carolyn was such a southern lady and I truly enjoyed getting to know her in the computer class.
- Louise Grotheer, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear about Mrs. Solana's passing Me and daddy both worked at roger wood. Dad was the security officer I worked in packing. The solana family is in our prayers. she will be so missed by everyone.
- Donald Sharpe and Donna Sharpe, savannah , ga
Sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. We will remember her with smiles.
- Karen @ Dr. Allen office, Savannah , Ga
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, David and Debbie. May the Lord bless you and keep you and your families. -Melly and Frank McNeal
- Melly and Frank McNeal, savannah, GA
It's the end of an era. She was quite a lady and I am glad to have known her. Love to all of you. Warmly, Crystal Griffin
- Crystal Griffin, Venice, CA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we give thanks to God for your Mother and the incredible life she lived. The true epitome of a southern lady , Carolyn has left a legacy of love and kindness that made all of us feel blessed for having known her. Isle of Hope will have a wonderful guardian angel with Carolyn watching over us . God Bless your family. Love in Christ, Abigail Cail and Diane Shuman
- Diane Suman and Abigail Cail, Savannah, Ga
Debbie- We were so sorry to hear the news about your mother. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Randy & Debby
- Randy & Debby Warner, Savannah, GA
Debbie, Matt, David and Mark, you and the entire Solana family are in our prayers. Tom & Molly Mahoney
- Tom & Molly Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Dear Debbie, John, Jacob and Chris, and all of the Solana Family: I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mother, Grandmother, Mother-in-law, and Great-Grandmother. She was just a wonderful woman and her love of family, community, and nature will live on in all of you. I wish you all the peace of knowing that kindness from generation to generation lives on. I also wish you the comfort of knowing that she lived a good life surrounded by you all. Many people will be thinking of you tomorrow and I am just one of them. I hope you will feel comforted tomorrow by the love, condolences, and most of all prayers for your family that so many of us are hoping you will feel on a difficult day. Love y'all, Caroline
- Caroline and Bill Verner, Savanah, GA
Debbie, Matt, David and Mark, Just an hour ago, I heard from Becky Bowdre that Carolyn died Saturday. It has been such a shock. Gloria and I are so sorry. I called Mary Alice Walker in Hilton Head and talked with her. She said that she would try to get to the funeral. Gloria and are not able to travel so we will miss being there. Carolyn and I talked several times about having another reunion but did not get it together. We loved Carolyn and will miss her so much. We send our love and prayers to all of your family. Gloria and Billy
- Billy Wood Orr, macon, Ga
Dear Debbie and family, I am so sorry to hear about your dear mother. I pray that your many happy memories, together with your Faith, will comfort and sustain you in the days ahead.
- Jan Daniel Crawford, Virginia Beach, Va.
Debbie and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on the passing of Debbie's mother.A true bright light on the Isle of Hope has left the area.She will be missed by many people.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the Solana Family. Mrs. Solana was one of the earliest supporters of the USO operation in Savannah all the way back to 2002. Her financial support and friendship allowed us to continue our support of the military service personnel for many, many years. We never had to call her or her friends from her Church for help. Help just showed up anywhere, and anytime, and in any amount. She was a solid rock of support for us and she will be missed sadly. May she rest in peace...............
- Mitchell Bush, President, USO Savannah , Savannah, GA
We are so sorry for your loss. I am so thankful for all the memories of Mr. & Mrs. Solana. I thought the world of them both. Praying for comfort. With love, Buford & Vera Daniels
- Buford & Vera Daniels, Twin City, GA
We are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Solana. She was truly a remarkable lady and adored and loved by so very many friends and family. May God grant each of you comfort in this most difficult time. With love and sympathy, Sandi and Alan Beals
- Sandi and Alan Beals, Savannah, GA
SO SORRY TO HEAR THIS. YOUR MOM WAS A TRUE SOUTHER LADY
- HOWARD JARROTT, SAVANNAH, GA
I am so sorry for your loss. Carolyn was such a sweet, generous, kind lady. I taught two of her grandchildren at Savannah Christian Prep School in third grade. She always kept me up with their lives when I would see her at church. I will miss her.
- Jean Griffin, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear of your loss. Carolyn was such a southern lady and I truly enjoyed getting to know her in the computer class.
- Louise Grotheer, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear about Mrs. Solana's passing Me and daddy both worked at roger wood. Dad was the security officer I worked in packing. The solana family is in our prayers. she will be so missed by everyone.
- Donald Sharpe and Donna Sharpe, savannah , ga
Sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. We will remember her with smiles.
- Karen @ Dr. Allen office, Savannah , Ga
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, David and Debbie. May the Lord bless you and keep you and your families. -Melly and Frank McNeal
- Melly and Frank McNeal, savannah, GA
It's the end of an era. She was quite a lady and I am glad to have known her. Love to all of you. Warmly, Crystal Griffin
- Crystal Griffin, Venice, CA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we give thanks to God for your Mother and the incredible life she lived. The true epitome of a southern lady , Carolyn has left a legacy of love and kindness that made all of us feel blessed for having known her. Isle of Hope will have a wonderful guardian angel with Carolyn watching over us . God Bless your family. Love in Christ, Abigail Cail and Diane Shuman
- Diane Suman and Abigail Cail, Savannah, Ga
Debbie- We were so sorry to hear the news about your mother. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Randy & Debby
- Randy & Debby Warner, Savannah, GA
Debbie, Matt, David and Mark, you and the entire Solana family are in our prayers. Tom & Molly Mahoney
- Tom & Molly Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Dear Debbie, John, Jacob and Chris, and all of the Solana Family: I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mother, Grandmother, Mother-in-law, and Great-Grandmother. She was just a wonderful woman and her love of family, community, and nature will live on in all of you. I wish you all the peace of knowing that kindness from generation to generation lives on. I also wish you the comfort of knowing that she lived a good life surrounded by you all. Many people will be thinking of you tomorrow and I am just one of them. I hope you will feel comforted tomorrow by the love, condolences, and most of all prayers for your family that so many of us are hoping you will feel on a difficult day. Love y'all, Caroline
- Caroline and Bill Verner, Savanah, GA
Debbie, Matt, David and Mark, Just an hour ago, I heard from Becky Bowdre that Carolyn died Saturday. It has been such a shock. Gloria and I are so sorry. I called Mary Alice Walker in Hilton Head and talked with her. She said that she would try to get to the funeral. Gloria and are not able to travel so we will miss being there. Carolyn and I talked several times about having another reunion but did not get it together. We loved Carolyn and will miss her so much. We send our love and prayers to all of your family. Gloria and Billy
- Billy Wood Orr, macon, Ga
Dear Debbie and family, I am so sorry to hear about your dear mother. I pray that your many happy memories, together with your Faith, will comfort and sustain you in the days ahead.
- Jan Daniel Crawford, Virginia Beach, Va.
Debbie and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on the passing of Debbie's mother.A true bright light on the Isle of Hope has left the area.She will be missed by many people.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the Solana Family. Mrs. Solana was one of the earliest supporters of the USO operation in Savannah all the way back to 2002. Her financial support and friendship allowed us to continue our support of the military service personnel for many, many years. We never had to call her or her friends from her Church for help. Help just showed up anywhere, and anytime, and in any amount. She was a solid rock of support for us and she will be missed sadly. May she rest in peace...............
- Mitchell Bush, President, USO Savannah , Savannah, GA
We are so sorry for your loss. I am so thankful for all the memories of Mr. & Mrs. Solana. I thought the world of them both. Praying for comfort. With love, Buford & Vera Daniels
- Buford & Vera Daniels, Twin City, GA
We are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Solana. She was truly a remarkable lady and adored and loved by so very many friends and family. May God grant each of you comfort in this most difficult time. With love and sympathy, Sandi and Alan Beals
- Sandi and Alan Beals, Savannah, GA
SO SORRY TO HEAR THIS. YOUR MOM WAS A TRUE SOUTHER LADY
- HOWARD JARROTT, SAVANNAH, GA
I am so sorry for your loss. Carolyn was such a sweet, generous, kind lady. I taught two of her grandchildren at Savannah Christian Prep School in third grade. She always kept me up with their lives when I would see her at church. I will miss her.
- Jean Griffin, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
