Caroleen Turner Thornton, surrounded by her family, joyously entered her heavenly home on April 16, 2024. Caroleen was born in Young County, Texas on July 24, 1931 to Mary Alice Jeffers Turner and Richard Carvel Turner. She graduated from Graham High School in Graham, Texas, and Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Caroleen married the love of her life, Homer Lee Thornton Jr., on June 2, 1952 in Graham. They were married for 70 years before Homer’s heavenly homegoing in 2022.
A private burial service at Evergreen Cemetery on Monday, April 22 will precede a memorial service at 11am at Central Presbyterian Church under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
Following Homer’s military service, Caroleen and Homer moved to a farm on the banks of the Red River and then settled in Paris, Texas in 1961. Caroleen was a loving wife, devoted mother, consummate homemaker, faithful friend, and valued member of the community. She and Homer were actively involved in Central Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. They especially enjoyed participating together in the choir.
In addition to her parents and husband, Caroleen was preceded in death by her infant son Richard Hall Thornton and her sisters Margaret Ann Freeman, Mary Bob Bettis, and Carvel Carter. Caroleen is survived by her daughters, Julianne Thornton Shipley (Bill), Alice Thornton McQuitty (Andy) and son Homer Lee Thornton III (Carol). She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Blair Thornton Hart (Meredith), Julia Kathleen Rhodes (Gordon), Elizabeth Grace Kronenberg (Danielle), Bonnie Caroleen McQuitty, Jonathan Andrew McQuitty (Andie), Jeffrey Lee McQuitty (Katy), Lindsay Michele Tallent (Coulter), Turner Clark Thornton (Madi), and Mary Elizabeth Thornton. Caroleen is also survived by 11 great grandchildren: Luke and Hannah Hart, Drew and Madeline Rhodes, Eric and Peyton McQuitty, Violet Kronenberg, Mathew Taylor, Tex Tallent, and Haley and Audrey Thornton.
The family will be forever grateful for Caroleen’s loving caregivers, Kim Vanderburg (Koehn Senior Care) and Deann Dodds (TLC Professional Care) whose companionship was a constant comfort after Homer was gone. Additionally, we thank Shirley Posey and Faye Johnson (both with Koehn Senior Care) for their faithful care and service to Caroleen.
Online condolences may be sent to the Thornton family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
