Carol Ann Thorn

Carol Ann Thorn was born on November 15, 1939, to William and Mattie Frank (Frankie) Simpson. She passed away on July 14, 2026, at the age of 86, surrounded by her 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and her granddaughter, Charity. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Thorn; her parents, William and Mattie Frank Simpson; her stepfather, Fred Gusse; her sister, Arlene Clayton; her son, William Dale Thorn; her 3 grandsons, David Roy Hatcher, Jeremiah Keith Neely, and Daniel Robert Grose. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Angela Ann Carter and her husband, Billy Frank Carter, Brenda Thorn and her husband, Johnny Bob Grose; her grandchildren, Perry Ray Hatcher and his wife, Kelly, Charity Carol Neely, Charlie Wayne Houston and his wife, Ashton, Jason Christopher Hill, and Jessica Marie Grose; her great-grandchildren, Nicole Michelle Lemons, Kaitlyn Lee Ann Jimenez, Kaycee Marie Neely, Chloe Lane Neely, Michael Neal Rooney, Matthew Eric Edminster, Lily and Danny Houston, Jaelyn Cora Neely, and Brandon and Bryan Hatcher; she was also blessed with 6 great-great grandchildren, Jaxson, Haylyn, Emma, Aiden, Mia, and one on the way, another little girl. Carol became a single parent in 1964. She lived in Selma, California, and worked as a cook for the Selma School District. She also maintained the lawn and surrounding landscape at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, which she attended with her parents and 3 children. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1978, but by the grace of God, she miraculously survived it and later overcame another fight with throat cancer. Carol was a determined, sassy lady and was devoted with all she had to her 3 children. She also cared for her mother until she passed, while devoting herself to her job at Sun-Maid Raisins in Kingsburg, California, where she became the first female operator on the E-Line. She bought her first home in Fresno, California. She enjoyed taking care of her lawn, beautiful flowers, and a menagerie of pets. She had dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ducks, turtles, guinea pigs, chickens, and fish, and a snake she didn’t know about that her son kept hidden from her (He didn’t stay too long after she found him). She enjoyed picnics with her family and Sunday dinners with her parents, a good movie lounging on the couch, usually surrounded by her dogs and kids, and then back to work on Monday. She later moved to Warner, Oklahoma, bought a home there, and lived with her son for 18 years. Upon his passing, she moved to Gilmer, Texas, and bought a home close to her daughter, Brenda. After becoming unable to live alone, she moved in with her daughter. She and her husband cared for her until her passing, and now she resides in her forever home with Jesus. Private family services will be held at a later date. Please visit Carol’s online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Carol Ann Thorn

November 15, 1939 - July 14, 2026