Chlotille Cole Fitzgerald

1944 - 2017

Chlotille Cole Fitzgerald (""Teelie""), age 72 of Destin, Fl., passed away March 7, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 11, 1944 in New Orleans, La. to Ralston and Edith Cole. She was the girl's New Orleans city wide champion in the 60 yard dash for three years in a row in elementary school and was also on the championship relay team. She attended The McGehee School in New Orleans, Lamar High School in Houston and graduated from Long Beach High School in 1963. She also attended LSU where she was a Kappa Kappa Gamma. After meeting on a blind date at the Naval Academy, she married John Robert Fitzgerald, Jr. on June 13, 1964 in New Orleans. Except for the packing and unpacking, she was delighted to follow Johnny around the world before eventually settling in Destin in 1973. Teelie was a member of St. Simon's Episcopal Church, serving as president of the Women of the Church and organizing the St. Simon's Craft Fair for several years. She was a volunteer for Child Advocates. Teelie also owned a number of retail businesses. Although she enjoyed her community endeavors and professional successes, her main focus was her family. Teelie and Johnny had a relationship that many strive for but few are able to emulate. Their loving relationship of 56 years was an example to her family and many friends. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren, tirelessly encouraging them and quick to answer a late night phone call. She was happiest spending time with her loved ones - traveling with Johnny, hosting elaborate dinner parties, Deah and Da camp for her grandchildren, playing spades, dancing, and solving the world's problems until the wee hours of the morning. Her pot roast, crab meat au gratin and other special dishes will be greatly missed, Teelie was opinionated, fiercely loyal, and loved with her whole heart. She was accepting of everyone and a second mom to many. Teelie was greatly loved and for those who knew her the world will be less colorful without her.
Teelie was preceded in death by her parents, Ralston and Edith Cole and grandson, Peyton Fitzgerald. She is survived by her loving husband, Johnny, her children Peggy Fitzgerald, Teelie Smith and her husband, Eric, and their children, Lauren, Delaney and Hayden, and John Fitzgerald III and his wife, Kim, and their children, Connor and Tristan. Teelie is also survived by her brother, Ralston Cole and his wife Mary Lib, her sister Patricia Wagner, her brother Chris Cole and his wife Marsha, and her many nieces and nephews and their children.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm on April 8, 2017, at St. Simon's on the Sound Episcopal Church, 28 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Ft. Walton Beach Fl. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Assn.