Carol Magdalen Watson

“And though she be but little, she is fierce” - William Shakespeare

“Wi likkle but wi tallawah.” - Jamaican saying

Carol Magdelen DeSouza Watson, age 82, passed away surrounded by her family in her home in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 15, 2026, following a months long battle with Leukemia. This was her third encounter with cancer having survived lymphoma twice before in 2013 and 2020.  She was preceded in death by her parents David DeSouza and Marie Wright, and brothers Tony, Peter, and Calvin (Junior). Carol was born in Kingston, Jamaica on November 19, 1943, the first born child of David and Marie. From a young age Carol prioritized caring for her family. As the oldest of six brothers and four sisters, she was a role model to her siblings and cousins who all resided together with Carol’s grandmother Beatrice Maud. Education was important to Carol, and she excelled in her studies. Her curiosity, zeal of life, and love for learning were demonstrated throughout her life.  She graduated from Excelsior High School in Kingston in 1961 with a distinction in Spanish, then worked at the University of the West Indies Library from 1968 to 1974, attended the University of Western Ontario in Canada where she received her master’s in library science in 1975, resumed working at UWI Library from 1975 to 1979, and moved to New York to start a family that same year.  Carol married Gregory Watson in Toronto, Canada, on April 19, 1975. She and Greg spent much of their life in White Plains, New York, where they raised their two children, and hosted many a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinner for extended family.

For 35 years, Carol served as the librarian at the Hallen School in Mamaroneck, New York, a school for children with developmental disabilities. She loved teaching and found the work especially gratifying. She came up with unique ways to convey information by using the ABC’s.  Any topic she chose to teach, she would cover the topic from A-Z. Every month, she would curate a special library tree decorated with ornaments that celebrated book characters such as Curious George, Pipi Longstocking, and Madeline. Carol’s co-workers were intrigued by an immigrant librarian who could fluently communicate in Spanish, who also responded to questions about Shakespearean literature with accurate citations without looking in a book. In 2003, Carol excelled in a certificate program for special education at NYU where she earned straight As.

As a bibliophile, Carol was part of a monthly ethnic book club and prized herself on her collection of books by African-American and Caribbean authors. She built a significant collection of artwork: paintings, sculptures, and figurines, focused on a mother and child motif. She loved music and dancing. She attended her daughter’s music recitals as well as concerts with her family- Tina Turner, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Ray Charles, and Bruno Mars to name a few, and could regularly be found Zooming in to her Church’s line dancing class or singing along to her favorite songs while making a family meal of curry chicken and bread pudding. 

Carol also loved to travel with her family, making trips to Mexico, Brazil, Panama, Puerto Rico, Canada, Cuba, France, and Italy. She was an avid sports fan who joyously followed the career of Michael Jordan—as a soccer enthusiast she cheered her son throughout his youth leagues, and most recently dedicated herself to watching every game that featured Lionel Messi.

Carol was an angel among us who lived a life of faith, loyalty, fierce love, curiosity, and compassion for others. She was a loving wife and devoted mother. She supported her children’s scholastic achievements and hobbies, never failing to provide love, encouragement, and tenderness along the way. She was seldom without a smile and was friendly to everyone she met. A member of Cliftondale United Methodist Church, she was a constant voice at Tuesday night’s prayer circle, offering words of comfort to those who were ill and infirmed. She was generous, patient, and kind. She possessed a rich humanity and a radiant soul that drew attention wherever she went. She had an infectious laugh and saw the best in everyone. She was always willing to lend a hand to help someone in a time of need.

She is survived by Gregory Watson, her devoted husband of 51 years, her children Nicole and Warren, son in-law Tim, sisters, Marlene, Yasmin, Jo-Ann, and Wendy, brothers, Wayne, Walter, and Warren—and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews who she loved.

Carol’s Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Cliftondale United Methodist Church (4095 Stonewall Tell Rd, College Park, GA 30349) on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 11am EST. This ceremony will be livestreamed as well for remote participation. We welcome all who can attend Carol’s Ceremony in-person to join her family as we honor and celebrate her life’s meaningful impact and legacy.

We dearly thank the doctors and nurses at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University Hospital who cared for her, as well as all her friends and family who came to visit her, called her, and sent words of encouragement and support while she was undergoing treatment. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Carol Watson’s name to your local library, the Playwrights’ Center or Morehouse College.