Carla Marie (Kopietz) Paxton Obituary
Carla Kopietz Paxton of Atlantic Beach, Fl, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2021. She
was 85 years old. Carla is the daughter of Edmund and Marie Kopietz. She was born and
raised in Minneapolis, MN, where she spent countless summers enjoying the lakes and beauty
of the north woods. She attended Carleton College and graduated from the University of
Minnesota in 1957, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta.
Carla met her devoted husband Ron of 61 years as they were working in the Pacific Northwest.
They settled and raised their 3 children in Spartanburg, SC, where Carla began her trek of
never letting dust settle under her feet. While she carted her children to piano lessons,
horseback riding, Scouts, soccer matches, swim meets, choir practice, Young Life, cheerleading
and dance, she earned a teaching degree from Furman University, a Masters degree in
Guidance from Converse College, and served her community as an educator and counselor.
One fond memory her daughters have is when she would, on weekends when they were riding
in horse shows, drive to Riveredge Farm at the crack of dawn, stand on an upside down feed
bucket in the growing light, and braid their horses' manes for competition that day.
She and Ron moved to the Fleet Landing community of Atlantic Beach, FL in 2014, where they
have spent many happy years surrounded by the kindness of their neighbors. Her love for
learning and activity ensured that no dust settled anywhere near her in the latter years of her life
as well. The cheerful energy she brought to all events will be missed. Her passion for growing
in knowledge and setting new goals was passed on to her children and 7 grandchildren as they
have journeyed through life with purpose and love.
Carla is preceded in death by her father Edmund, mother Marie, brother Paul, granddaughter
Maggie, stepmother Naomi, and step brothers George and Richard.
She is survived by husband Ron, her children Holly Mabry (Don), Ann Von Thron (John), Jim
Paxton (Lisa), and grandchildren Charlotte, Jennings, Jimmy, Joe, Mary Grace, and Holly, and
several wonderful nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating her life will be Wednesday, November 3 at 10am at Windward Commons
in Fleet Landing at One Fleet Landing Blvd, Atlantic Beach, Fl.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Beaches Emergency Aid Ministry,
850 6th Ave. S, Ste. 400, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.
Arrangements by Integrity Funeral Home and Cremations, Jacksonville, FL
