Caroline Lyons Wood – Mrs. Julian Martin Fowler
December 10, 1924 – September 25, 2021
Caroline was born December 10, 1924 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the daughter of Mary Woods Harris and Allen Killebrew Wood. Her mother was an artist and homemaker and her father was an engineer at GE, later taking over operation of Wood Lumber Company. Caroline went to primary school in Birmingham and moved to Washington, DC to attend Gunston Hall for high school. She graduated from junior college, Holton Arms in June of 1944. It was during her final year that she met midshipman, Chester (Chet) N. Perry, Jr. from Charleston, SC, and the two were married upon his graduation on June 7, 1944. As a Navy family, they moved frequently, calling Kittery, ME, Mystic, CT, Jacksonville, FL and Key West, FL home. In 1945, they welcomed a son, Chester (Pete) Perry, III. After Chet’s resignation in 1947, they moved back to Caroline’s hometown of Birmingham where they welcomed their daughter Susan in 1948. Tragically, Chet died of natural causes in 1949, leaving Caroline a young widow with two small children. To support herself and her children, Caroline and a friend started a nursery school in Birmingham.
On a blind date in 1950, she met Julian Martin (Bunchy) Fowler of Pell City, AL. They later married and moved to Atlanta. In 1951, they welcomed a son, Michael (Mike) and in 1953, a daughter, Margaret (Peggy). Caroline had a lifelong interest in antiques, opening businesses in Atlanta and Hendersonville, NC after moving there in 1999. Always dressed to the nines, her grandchildren often called her “Glam Gram”. A friend to many, her social calendar was always full, even well into her 96th year. She was kind, generous, graceful, funny, and steadfast in her faith. Her resiliency and positive attitude throughout her life was inspiring. She will be sorely missed by her family and countless friends.
Caroline is preceded in death by her husband of 50 plus years, Julian M. (Bunchy) Fowler, and her oldest son Chester (Pete) Perry, III. She is survived by children, Susan Perry Davis (Nathaniel) of Hendersonville, NC., Michael Fowler (Susie) of Greensboro, NC., and Peggy Thornton (Herb) of Hendersonville, NC., seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Henderson County, NC or the Elizabeth House at Four Seasons.