Celebrating 90 Years Young
Join us April 4, 2026 at The Oaks Community Center on Amelia Island
A Milestone Birthday
We cordially invite you to join us in celebrating the 90th birthday of our beloved Carolyn Brandt Oates. This special occasion marks nine decades of love, laughter, cherished memories, and treasured relationships with family and friends.
Your presence would add immeasurable joy to this memorable day as we gather to honor a truly remarkable woman who has touched so many lives with her warmth, grace, and kindness and entertained so many with her talent on stage and off.
Event Details
Date
Saturday, April 4, 2026
It is the day before Easter, but it is the actual date of Carolyn's birth in 1936!
Time
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Cocktails and appetizers will start flowing at 4:00, buffet will open at 5:45. Enjoy cake and champagne at 6:45 followed by sunset at 7:45.
Location
The Oaks Community Center-Amelia Island Plantation
203 Sea Marsh Road , Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
Attire
Garden Party Elegant
Please dress in comfortable, smart casual attire suitable for Carolyn's birthday celebration.
What to Expect
Welcome Reception
4:00 PM
Arrival cocktails, light refreshments and live music as we gather to begin our celebration together.
Celebration Program
5:00 PM
Heartfelt tributes, special memories, and presentations honoring Carolyn's remarkable 90 years will be shared.
Buffet Dinner
5:45 PM
Dinner is served! Enjoy!
Celebration Continues
6:45 PM - 8:00
Birthday cake, champagne, dancing, Hokey Pokey and time to share stories, laughter, and create new memories together as we enjoy a beautiful sunset over the marsh.
A Life of Love
Celebrating Carolyn's 90 Wonderful Years
Devoted Family
A loving wife, mother, step-mother, cousin, sister and grandmother, her nurturing spirit has shaped generations of family members. She is now the matriarch of our family.
Cherished Friendships
Decades of meaningful friendships built on trust, laughter, shared experiences, and unwavering loyalty, she is surrounded by friends everywhere she goes!
Prima Ballerina
The love of ballet began when she was just a tiny dancer, but stayed with her all 90 years: dancing under the stars, opening her own dance studio and teaching jazz and tap in her retirement village.
Prolific Performer
Years of performing with various groups, especially over 20 years while in Timber Pines. She continues to entertain audiences with dance, acting and (occasionally) song.
Powerful Professional
Her long and impressive list of accomplishments includes establishing her own dance studio, getting her MBA, launching her own company with strategic defense contracts and being listed in Who's Who Directory.
Globetrotter
Her travels have taken her from Russia to the Antartica, and everywhere in between. Carolyn loves to see the world and has traveled to every continent except one. Where will she travel next?
Grace & Wisdom
A lifetime of accumulated wisdom shared freely with those fortunate enough to know her gentle guidance. She is a mentor to her children, her grandchildren and others!
RSVP

We'd Love to Celebrate with You
Please let us know if you'll be joining us for this special occasion. Kindly respond by March 20th so we can ensure adequate arrangements for all our cherished guests.
Send Your RSVP
Getting to Amelia Island Plantation
Amelia Island Plantation is nestled on the beautiful northeastern coast of Florida. The community's stunning natural setting provides the perfect backdrop for our celebration.
The community is easily accessible from Jacksonville International Airport (approximately 30 miles south) and offers ample parking for guests arriving by car.
Getting into The Oaks Community Center for the actual event is a little tricky. The guard will need to have the name of all the adults attending. Please note the detailed directions below.
Directions
From the North/Fernandina Beach:
Head south on SR-A1A/First Coast Highway.  At the third roundabout, take the third "exit" into the main entrance for the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa (onto Beach Lagoon Road).  At the manned security gate, tell the guard that you are attending Carolyn Oates' birthday party at The Oaks.  The guard should have your name (ID may be required). Once through security, veer to the right and then take a sharp right onto Marsh Lagoon Road to cross back over the highway.  Turn right at the stop sign onto Sea Marsh Road and The Oaks Community Center will be on the left; take the first entrance into the parking lot.
From the South:
Head north on SR-A1A/First Coast Highway.  At the first roundabout, take the first "exit" into the main entrance for the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa (onto Beach Lagoon Road).  At the manned security gate, tell the guard that you are attending Carolyn Oates' birthday party at The Oaks.  The guard should have your name (ID may be required). Once through security, veer to the right and then take a sharp right onto Marsh Lagoon Road to cross back over the highway.  Turn right at the stop sign onto Sea Marsh Road and The Oaks Community Center will be on the left; take the first entrance into the parking lot.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  Non-residents of the Amelia Island Plantation cannot access The Oaks by turning onto Ron Kolar Way off of the roundabout on First Coast Highway, no matter what Google maps or other GPS map apps may show. 
Ninety Years of Beautiful Memories
A life well-lived is measured not in years, but in moments of love, joy, and connection. Join us in celebrating nine decades of Carolyn's remarkable journey through these treasured photographs.
Gifts & Well Wishes
Your presence at this celebration is the greatest gift of all. However, if you wish to honor Carolyn with a gesture, she would be delighted by written memories or photographs to add to her memory book or Cards filled with your warm wishes and cherished recollections
Please bring any cards or memory contributions to the celebration, where a special collection table will be available.
No other presents, please, just your presence.
Questions or Special Requests?
We're here to help ensure your experience is wonderful. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the celebration, need assistance with directions, or have special requirements we should know about.
We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you and creating beautiful new memories together in honor of our beloved Mom.
CALL OR EMAIL YOUR HOSTS:
Margaret Davis - 713.899.2452 mndavis001@gmail.com
Kathryn McAvoy - 904.422.0036 kdmcavoy@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE DIRECTIONS
From the North/Fernandina Beach:
Head south on SR-A1A/First Coast Highway.  At the third roundabout, take the third "exit" into the main entrance for the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa (onto Beach Lagoon Road).  At the manned security gate, tell the guard that you are attending Carolyn Oates' birthday party at The Oaks.  Once through security, veer to the right and then take a sharp right onto Marsh Lagoon Road to cross back over the highway.  Turn right at the stop sign onto Sea Marsh Road and The Oaks Community Center will be on the left; take the first entrance into the parking lot.
From the South:
Head north on SR-A1A/First Coast Highway.  At the first roundabout, take the first "exit" into the main entrance for the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa (onto Beach Lagoon Road).  At the manned security gate, tell the guard that you are attending Carolyn Oates' birthday party at The Oaks.  Once through security, veer to the right and then take a sharp right onto Marsh Lagoon Road to cross back over the highway.  Turn right at the stop sign onto Sea Marsh Road and The Oaks Community Center will be on the left; take the first entrance into the parking lot.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  Non-residents of the Amelia Island Plantation cannot access The Oaks by turning onto Ron Kolar Way off of the roundabout on First Coast Highway, no matter what Google maps or other GPS map apps may show.