Keith Wesley Carrington

1949 - 2003

BORN

1949

DIED

2003

Keith Carrington Obituary

At the age of 54, Keith departed this Earth Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 and traveled to a better place, shedding the cancer pain he gallantly tried to fight.

Born in Tifton, Ga., he resided in St. Augustine most of his life, especially the beachfront he enjoyed so much.

Keith, who served in the armed forces, was an electrician by profession and a carpenter for leisure. He was also an avid fisherman (loved those bass), a great gardener, animal lover and a real practical jokester ... always looking to have fun, especially when "his" Gators were playing or NASCAR announced "Gentlemen, start your engines."

Keith showed great pride in his home and the neighborhood where he made many friends. He took time to appreciate nature and never missed even the smallest of details going on around him.

He lived his life to the fullest and accepted the time he had remaining with dignity, using it wisely in bringing family and friends closer, along with his relationship with God.

Keith never hesitated a favor to anyone who asked and he accepted life's-let downs as a learning tool and grew within himself to better his existence. He lived by the belief that "Everyone should get along with one other." And for all these qualities ... he is so deeply missed.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Verdi Carrington and survived by his wife, Yvonne Davison-Carrington; daughters, Leysha Davison-Carrington, Heather Carrington, and Karry Carrington, and young grandchildren, Marcie and Kody and (his "Mason Brother") Kenny Sims, of St. Augustine; his sister and brother-in-law, Mardell and Bill Miles; nephews and nieces, Kevin and Sean Harris and Shelly Hart, and brother-in-law, Arty Harris of Palatka; sister and brother-in-law, Vanessa Davison-Wiltshire and Mark Wiltshire, nephews, Connell and K.D., Wales, UK, and of course ... "Miss Gracie." All of whom he loved 'With All His Heart'.

His many friends including (but not limited to) Pete and Sonja Sample, George Smith, Gary Brown, Andrew White, Mary Lillis, Mr. S. Davies, Joe Stewart, James 'J.J.' Jackson, Rita and Bob, Roberta and Mike, Chris and Marcia, Steve and Kati and Richard. He 'reminisced with affection, the times and topics you all shared with him'.

Before his journey, Keith expressed never-ending gratitude for those who unconditionally made his weeks comfortable. To: Gail, Pat, Christine, Barbara, Lesa and Jim of Hospice, and Vicki, Pat and Jeannie of Dr. Epstein's office. 'We all join Keith in his sentiment for the work you did so caringly'. (and agree with you ... "He was indeed special and never complained.")

A 'Celebration of his Life', for all 'KC's friends, family and acquaintances will be held overlooking the ocean on 11th St., St. Augustine Beach, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, at noon. Services officiated by Chaplin Jim Balke.

Flowers are gratefully accepted at #9 11th St.

Craig Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

PAID NOTICE

(Please sign the guest book at www.staugustine.com)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Augustine Record on Feb. 5, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Keith Carrington

8 Entries

Vanessa Davison

February 8, 2003

To Keith, my star

I hope that heaven is as beautiful as you said......Love you lots,

Vanessa, Mark and the children.

Kate Permuy

February 8, 2003

I first met Yvonne in the pre-dawn light at the ocean's edge the January morning her husband, Keith, passed away. A cold wind was gusting little swirls and twirls of sand like slow ballerinas across the beach and the surf was chopping and biting at the sky before it thundered and crashed, beating down hard on the soft sand.

Yvonne and her niece Shelly approached us at the water's edge where I waited for the sun with my dog and a flock of gulls nearby huddled close together against the wind. My dog rose to greet her and she introduced herself as my neighbor. As soon as she said her name I knew her. My husband and other neighbors always spoke so warmly of her.

As she stroked my dog who quietly leaned in against her as though to comfort, she told me she'd lost her love a few hours earlier. I could see her soul bared raw in those sad, liquid eyes. As the horizon over the water began to glow pink and gold in the distance she told me about Keith, who loved her so greatly and left her too soon.

I knew Keith too although we'd never met. He was the neighbor who loved to surf fish and I probably saw him many times heading toward the water out my kitchen window. I watched with pleasure the regular milestones of progress he made, as he lovingly built a wonderfully tiny, intimate patio behind their beach bungalow with tables and chairs, Tiki torches and a garden so they could enjoy friends and neighbors on soft summer evenings outdoors. The dog and I never saw Keith but we always stopped on our walks to admire his work and the special place he was creating.

My mother and I would admire his beautiful home-grown tomatoes in the neat, well tended, and raised box he'd so carefully crafted last summer every time we passed.

This open, exposed, British expatriate standing strong against the wind as it buffeted about us on the beach, with her long dark hair streaming behind her told me how he'd loved her and loved this beach so deeply, as all of us who live here do. She said he'd been so glad to get to know the neighbors who'd made him feel welcome, accepted and a part of our slightly bohemian community.

As the sun rose softly through the clouds and Shelly turned from the water to take Yvonne home, Yvonne took my hand and thanked me for listening. I was so stunned by her remark I didn't know what to say.

Now I do.

No, Yvonne. Thank you. Thank you for sharing yours and Keith's love with me, with us, with our close-knitting neighborhood. How fortunate we are to have you. Keith will be missed and remembered and you and he will always be a part of our community.

Your neighbor and friend,

Kate

Berta Odom

February 7, 2003

Words of sympathy aren't nearly enough at a time like this, and all that we do will never remove the loss that you are feeling at this time. We all are feeling a great loss for a wonderful human being. Keith was a great neighbor and a person you could always depend on. I know that I will truly miss all the great times we all have shared "over the fence wall."

Yvonne, please know that we are all here for you.

jeannie mcmillen

February 6, 2003

Yvonne and family--My love and caring are with you in this difficult time--It was an honor to try to help Keith in these last weeks--you both showed great courage and love..remember Keith is never really very far-only a memory away --much love--jeannie

Shelly Hart

February 6, 2003

YOU TAUGHT ME SO MUCH LAST FRIDAY MORNING. IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU AS YOU LEFT THIS WORLD FOR A BETTER PLACE. I'LL MISS YOU DEEPLY, BUT WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ONE DAY.

I LOVE YOU, SHELLY

BECKY BOBBITT

February 6, 2003

My thoughts and prayers are with you now in this time of sorrow. I truly know how you are feeling. Sincerely, Your Friend, Becky Bobbitt

Erin Cook

February 5, 2003

My heart is with your family during this time. You will all be in my prayers and in my mind. Keith seems like he was a very pleasant and happy person. I am a colleage of Yvonne's working at the St. Johns County Visitors & Convention Bureau.

Yvonne Carrington

February 5, 2003

I miss you Sweetheart

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results