For a woman who loved to travel and who relished out-of-the-ordinary experiences, Lee Eiland Kravitz had a dream job -- introducing Coca-Cola's Glaceau ingredient-enhanced beverages around the globe.
In all, she went abroad to help launch the Glaceau vitamin water brand in 21 countries.
The dream ended earlier this month in South Africa, a land she had come to adore during five previous visits for its natural beauty and the warm hospitality of its people. Mrs. Kravitz, a 40-year-old Atlantan, died Sept. 2 while on a honeymoon trip with her husband, Hal Kravitz. The cause of death was presumed to be a blood clot, but results of an autopsy are not yet complete, he said.
Actually, the Kravitzes were married last November, but partly because of their busy schedules and partly because they wished to return to South Africa during its splendid spring season, they chose to put off their honeymoon.
Mrs. Kravitz's funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Bethel United Methodist Church, Marietta. Sandy Springs Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her memory be made to Alabama's Special Camp for Children and Adults, P.O. Box 21, Jackson's Gap, AL 36861. Mrs. Kravitz was a counselor at the camp during her teens.
Her boss, Coca-Cola Vice President Rodolfo Echeverria of Atlanta, said Mrs. Kravitz was a field marketing director who led the introduction of Glaceau drinks in 24 countries, counting the three -- Argentina, Chile and Germany -- whose autumn product launches she helped prepare.
"Lee had phenomenal social and communications skills and conveyed the company's marketing strategy with great clarity," he said. "And she was a hands-on leader, visiting each country to help ensure these introductions came off smoothly. Lee was a true professional."
Mrs. Kravitz developed her marketing skills as a publicist for the athletic departments of her alma mater, Auburn University, and Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. Later, she held marketing positions with Red Bull beverages and Lionsgate Entertainment Corp.
Mrs. Kravitz's father, Skip Eiland of Alexander City, Ala., said that even as a child she did things her own way, regardless of the risks. He recalled a ballet recital when she danced with other 3-year-olds.
"Early in the routine," he said, "Lee was out of step with the other little girls, but by the end of their number, they were in sync with her. At the time, her mother and I called that ‘Lee's step' -- and it became the kind of way she performed throughout her life."
A brother, Parker Eiland of Ocala. Fla., said he was impressed by how readily Mrs. Kravitz made really close friends, here and abroad.
One of them was Michelle Paice of Johannesburg, South Africa. Even though Mrs. Kravitz met her just two years ago and saw her only at six-month intervals thereafter, they became "soul sisters," as Mrs. Paice described it. "After I had a second miscarriage recently, Lee sat with me and wept with me and was a great comfort," she said.
While Mrs. Kravitz's career kept her busy weekdays, she devoted weekends to entertaining family and friends. "Lee was a gourmet cook and enjoyed replicating some of the great dishes we enjoyed in fine restaurants," her husband said. He called her "a down-to-earth foodie" who had a special way with traditional Southern dishes.
He said he and his wife had met only five years ago, "but Lee and I packed more glorious experiences into those five years than some people do in a lifetime," adding that she also had a positive influence on the relationship between him and his children.
His daughter, Rachel Kravitz of Nashville, concurred. "Lee brought us closer together," she said, "and she became a role model for me, inspiring me to pursue my dreams and never hold back."
Survivors also include another stepdaughter, Lauren Kravitz of Atlanta; a stepson, Sam Kravitz of Atlanta; her mother, Karen Eiland of Alexander City, Ala., and another brother, Trey Eiland of Roswell.
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