Caroline "Carol" Burtis Beach Feitel

Caroline “Carol” Burtis Beach Feitel, 83, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, entered into her Heavenly home on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Affectionately known as “Grandma Carol,” she was born on March 14, 1942, in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of the late Dr. Leonard Brothwell Beach and the late Cicely Cone Beach. Her father’s career in academia took the family to Norman, Oklahoma, where Carol spent a joyful childhood riding her bike with her sister to the Sooner Theater to watch Westerns and dreaming of one day owning horses. A subsequent move to Nashville, Tennessee, brought her to Stokes Elementary School, where she won the 50-yard dash at the Nashville City Track Meet. She later attended and graduated from Harpeth Hall, excelling in basketball and volleyball, and discovering a lifelong passion for art.

Carol earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College of Tulane University in 1964, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Her college years were filled with adventure—sailing on Lake Pontchartrain, spending a semester in Mexico City, and most importantly, meeting her future husband, York Feitel. The two were married on February 10, 1965, in The Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Tulane’s campus.

After graduation, Carol taught second grade at West Bank Academy in New Orleans, where she also served as the high school baseball coach. In 1966, she and York moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina, beginning his working career at Milliken. They briefly lived in Abbeville, South Carolina, and LaGrange, Georgia, where they purchased thirty acres and began an ambitious journey into horse ownership—clearing land, building fences and barns, baling hay, and eventually raising cattle. After four years, they returned to Spartanburg and began anew on a farm in Inman, South Carolina, continuing their beloved work with horses and livestock.

Carol was deeply devoted to her faith. She served as Senior Warden of Saint Christopher’s Episcopal Church and was instrumental in designing its new sanctuary, including the design of its stained-glass windows. Later, she became a dedicated and beloved member of All Saints Church, Spartanburg, famous for providing homemade sausage cheeseballs and chocolate chip cookies as refreshments. Her unwavering faith was the cornerstone of her life.

She was also a founding member of HALTER, a volunteer-based equine therapy program, and a talented, recognized artist within the Artists' Guild of Spartanburg. She taught art classes and was featured in numerous exhibitions. A passionate tennis player, Carol often spoke fondly of the time she played in an exhibition match as Rod Laver’s doubles partner. She also cherished time spent with dear friends at the annual Renewal Conference at Kanuga and with her weekly Cursillo reunion group. She enjoyed the camaraderie of her bridge club and the Ivey Ring Garden Club.

Though her life was filled with creative pursuits, friendships, and service, Carol’s most treasured role was that of a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was the proud mother of three, grandmother of nine, and great-grandmother of one—with another on the way in October.

Among her enduring legacies are her love for horseback riding, tennis, art, and family traditions—especially the cherished summer vacations in New Hampshire. For much of her life, Carol spent summers at the family’s mountain home in North Woodstock, where she found joy hiking forest trails and swimming in the cool waters of the Pemigewasset River.

Carol will be remembered for her love of animals, empathetic heart, optimistic outlook, steadfast faith, and the warmth she brought to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Left to cherish Carol’s many memories are her husband of over 60 years, Dr. Joseph York Feitel, Jr; her two sisters: Bea Madden and Anne Was (Chris); three children: Jay Feitel (Angela), Jenny Alvarado (fiancé: Mark Sigler), and Julie Rieth (Doug); nine wonderful grandchildren: Joseph Feitel (Carissa), Andrew Feitel, Jonathan Feitel, Kelly Feitel, Emily Feitel, Dan Alvarado, Elisa Alvarado (fiancé Trey Burch), Dr. Ellen Rieth (fiancé Abe Wojtalik), and Amy Rieth; one precious great-grandchild: Palmer Alvarado.

A celebration of life service to honor Carol’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Floyd Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29307. The family will greet friends prior to the service starting at 1:00 PM.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for memorial contributions made in Carol’s memory to: All Saints Church, Spartanburg, 401 E Kennedy St, Suite B7, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or Renewal Retreat at Kanuga 97 Live Oak Lane Georgetown, SC 29440