Cora Carlisle

1921 - 2025

Cora Lee (High) Carlisle, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and child of God, died Aug. 8 at her home in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was 103.

Born Dec. 4, 1921, in Chambers County, Ala., to the late Viola Ross High, Cora Lee was the youngest of eight children.

She accepted Christ at an early age at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Waverly, Ala., and was a graduate of East Street High School in Opelika, Ala. For several years, she lived in Anniston, Ala., where she met her husband, Walter Carlisle, before moving to Brooklyn, N.Y. Cora Lee was a member of Antioch Baptist Church there and served on the First Lady's Club and the Baptist Training Union.

Cora Lee was a distinguished, refined lady who took great pride in her appearance and dress. She worked for many years at New York City's iconic Schrafft's Restaurant. She brought that professional sense of hospitality and care into her personal life as well, cooking and baking cakes and pies and whipping up a meal or treat for anyone who came by.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Carlisle; her son, Edgar Lewis Palm III; and her brothers and sisters.

Cherished memories of her life will be celebrated by her two daughters, Bernice Davis of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Cassandra Carreras (Raul) of Ocala, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Betty Palm of Auburn, Ala.; five grandchildren, Stella O'Hara of Montclair, N.J.; Eric (Anika) Palm of Atlanta, Ga.; Travis Palm of Auburn, Ala.; Ramon Carreras of Harrison, N.J., Bianca Carreras of Montclair, N.J; two great-grandchildren, Christel Burrell of Montclair, N.J., and Olamina Palm of Atlanta, Ga.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Aug. 21, at Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home, 1 Troy Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213 with interment at Long Island National Cemetery.