Carol Ann Thornhill

Carol Ann (Hargraves) Thornhill, daughter of Harold and Louise (Ballentine) Hargraves, was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on July 16, 1937 and passed from this life on February 16, 2023, at 9:15 am in Benton, AR. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tommy Thornhill; two brothers: Harold Hargraves and Louis Hargraves; and one sister: Doris (Hargraves) Alonso. Carol is survived by one sister: Ruth (Hargraves) Padgett; one daughter: Ellen (Thornhill) Hamilton (James); two sons: Thomas Thornhill, Jr.(Terri) and Harold Thornhill(Lori); five grandchildren: Rena (Hamilton) Gardana (Kristopher), Ronnie Hamilton, Jonathan Thornhill (Chelsea), Joshua Thornhill, and Kelly Thornhill; and four great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Gardana, Nickolas Gardana, Kaylie Gardana, and Nolan Gardana.

Carol grew up in Tampa, Florida. She obeyed the gospel and was a faithful Christian throughout her life. Carol worked at a checkout counter in a grocery store in Tampa where she met a young milk delivery man, Tommy Thornhill. Carol and Tommy Thornhill married on September 1, 1958. They were married for 63 happy years until Tommy departed this life on June 20,2022.  Tommy was a gospel preacher, so they lived in several places in north Florida (Williston, Perry, and, Trenton) and central Florida (McDill Ave – Tampa).  Then they went overseas to evangelize in Norway from 1966-1971.  Then they returned to central Florida and worked with the Antioch church of Christ in Thonotosassa, and in the Daytona Beach area. The Thornhills then moved to Arkansas to work with the 65^th St. congregation in Little Rock and the MacArthur Drive congregation in Jacksonville. Carol and Tommy returned to the McDill congregation in Tampa, FL and then worked with the church in Lake Wales, FL. After 15 years in Buckhorn, MS, they moved to Ozark, AR to work ten years with the church of Christ in Etna. Due to declining health, they moved to Bryant where they lived with their daughter Ellen and her husband James until they both passed.

In every place they lived, Tommy and Carol were partners in making their house a home for anyone that visited. Many visitors enjoyed the lodging, the prepared meals, good humor, and the open hearts of Tommy and Carol. They were a positive and joyful light in every church and community where they worked and lived.

Carol was a talented artist that colorized black and white photos by painting the color on them. She became a well-known creative and prolific cake decorator in Florida and Arkansas. She owned three different bakeries specializing in cake decoration. As a certified Wilton method cake decorating instructor, she taught many people to decorate their own cakes and sold cake decorating supplies in her shop. She often made cakes as gifts for friends for their birthdays or for other special occasions. Later in life, Carol made customized greeting cards to express love, concern, congratulations, or sympathy, depending on the occasion. 

Carol lived a long, active and happy life until she started experiencing Alzheimer symptoms about three years ago. Even then, her loving and lovable pleasant personality remained. She is missed by her earthly family, her spiritual family around the world and a multitude of friends.

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13, NKJV)

The memorial service for Carol Ann Thornhill will be Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11 am at the Bryant church of Christ that meets at 9500 AR-5, Alexander, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that people make a contribution in memory of Carol Thornhill to Sacred Selections, an adoption service that helps Christians in the adoption of children that need homes. To do so, please go to this link: Carol Thornhill - Sacred Selections