Carol Thornton
Nov 23, 2045 – Jan 27, 2011
Carol Martha Rogers Thornton
Early on the morning of January 27th, Carol began the final part of her journey home, fully expecting the one more surprise her Lord promised her long ago. Carol had a very difficult year with many hospitalizations and much suffering. She made the decision to come home, and with the help of her family, church, friends, and Hospice sought God’s complete healing. Shortly after making this decision, Carol told her husband, Jim, that she had fought the good fight and was now ready to meet her Lord, Jesus Christ. She died two days later.
Carol was born on November 23, 1945 in England at the rural Whitheather Lodge at the foot of Woolly Hill. She was a war baby” born to her father Arthur a U.S. soldier and her mom Ruby King a British citizen and member of the British army. Carol came to the U.S. on Easter Sunday in 1946 a U.S. citizen. She is survived by her mother Ruby A. Rogers; her husband the Rev. James W. Thornton Sr.; their children James Jr. Jay and Julie Hull five grandchildren: Sarah Delaney Rachel Macauley and Zachary; a sister Susan Gauthier an aunt and uncle several nieces nephews and cousins both in the U.S. and in England.
Carol grew up in Louisa VA graduated from John Marshall H.S. and attended college in Louisa. She worked as a secretary an administrative assistant and a medical assistant. After completing the Course of Study at Wesley Theological Seminary Carol became a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church. She served churches on the Eastern Shore Albemarle Co. and retired from the Mineral – Mt. Pleasant Charge after an 11 year appointment. She was an effective minister as a lay person in her church a pastor’s spouse and a clergy person.
Carol’s entire adult life was devoted to helping others and both preaching and living the message of God’s love found in the gospel of Jesus Christ God’s son. She will be missed by all who knew her. Carol would want you to believe Isaiah 43: 1-5 in the Old Testament.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to any of the following: Mineral UMC Mt. Pleasant UMC both in Louisa County or Ivy Creek UMC in Charlottesville.
Jim, Jay & Julie & Family,Carol was a joy and role model for me in life and in ministry. Raymond, Alexandra and I are praying for you all.Becky
Jim and family, We are sorry to hear of carol`s passing. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. God be with you and your family. Jim,Richie says our front porch is always open to you!””
Jim and I were so sorry to hear the news about Carol. Please know that you and the family are in our prayers. We love you.
Jim, Jay, and Julie,we are so sorry for your loss. Carol was a treasure and a pleasure to you and the grandchildren, as well as your extended family. Her work here is done but you can rest assured she is busy organizing the folks she is meeting now.Our prayers are with you all.
Jim, Julie and Jay Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your very dear and loving one who was friend to all. She will be greatly missed.Love,David and Carolyn
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. We both worked with Carol at Allied-Signal, now Honeywell. She was a wonderful friend.Barbara and Remmie Rowlett
The first time we met Pastor Carol was when she came to our home October 3rd, 2007. It was the day after our three week old son, Max, had passed away. She provided the comfort we needed at such a bittersweet time. Not only did we just lose a son, we were about to bring his twin, Luke, home the following day. Pastor Carol also helped us celebrate a joyous occasion on April 27, 2008 when she Baptized Luke. We only knew her for a short amount of time, but she will always hold a significant place in our hearts. It makes us smile knowing she is up in Heaven and can be there for our little Max, if he needs her.
To Julie, her father and family, Julie, Im sorry I never met your mother. Knowing you I know she was a loving and devoted mother because it shows in you with your love and compasion every day. My love and prayers go to you and all of your family at this time of your loss. May you keep her memories alive in your life and your children. Remember Christians never say good-bye. You will see her again.”
I know God will be with you guys as you deal with Carol`s loss. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.
I am very sorry for yor loss, my thoughts are with your in your time of grief.
Knew the Thornton`s in Kendale Acres and wanted to express sympathy and prayers to the family for comfort at this time.
Dearest Jim, Jay and Julie: Carol`s warm smile and great kindness will remain a bright spot in life for me. Please be assured of my prayers for all of you and know that the Lord will give each of you the support you need, especially in these difficult times. Though it had been a long time since we had been together, I always felt that you, Jim, and Carol were very special people in my life and I thank God for both of you.Most sincerely,Love,Carolyn
Jim and family,Please know that you are in our prayers. Carol and you were very much a part of our church family here on the Eastern Shore and we still hold a place in our hearts for you.
Our condolences on the passing of Carol.We enjoyed meeting her at Laura and Kevin`s. She was a delightful person.May the memories of a life well lived serving the Lord comfort you in your loss.
The lightning and the thunderThey go and come: But the stars and the stillness are always at home.”-George MacDonald”
We loved Carol and cherish our time with her as our pastor at Mineral United Methodist.
I`m very sorry for your loss, but we will be reunited with her one day in the Kingdom.
Jim, Jay and Julie,I read Isaiah 43. There is a song from that scripture entitled Fear Not”. I sang that to Kathy on the way to the hospital when she was in labor with Jacob. It is odd that we His created find it both scary to enter this world and also to leave it. Carol has truly been reedemed and right now is being called by her name by Jesus. We will miss her her boldness and fankness but can rejoice in that she has truly been redeemed.”
Carol was a true Child of God and is now with the Father. Her family can rest assured they will see her again. She was so much fun to be with and will be missed by all who knew her.
Julie and family, my deepest sympathy and many prayers are with each of you at this difficult time. Carol was a special person to work with, she loved her family and was passionate about them. May many good memories help you get through this difficult time.
Jimmy & Family. I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family. We have not kept up with each other since our childhood and high school throughout the years, although I have thought about you and Carol frequently. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. The Sterling S. Medlin, Jr. Family
I will miss Carol she was always so thoughtful of us. And listen alot to our bad days on the mail route. She was our hope at the end of a long day. That the next day would be better. We both will miss seeing her. Alice and Kathy mail carriers
Reading Isaiah 43, Jim, I cannot help but think of her now reading that scripture to you…and when you pass through the rivers they will not overwhelm you…I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be. Carol was a an absolutely beautiful creation of God. Our family loves you very much.