Carolyn A Thornton

Carolyn A. Thornton was born December 10, 1934 in Louisville, Kentucky, she was the daughter of William Watson Austin and Marge Vest Austin. She passed away Friday, October 6, 2023, in North Richland Hills, TX. 

Mom left us late Thursday night. Our hearts are heavy, but knowing she is at peace gives us comfort.   We thought about all the wonderful things we could celebrate in her life, being a very good athlete playing both high school basketball and volleyball, being married to our father for 50 years before his passing, being an all-around supermom but we settled on talking about the greatest cook we have ever known.  Moms spot in the kitchen may be vacant but our kitchens are full of memories far from empty.  

On any given Sunday as soon as you walk through the door the delicious savory aroma of pot roast, fried chicken, pork chops (the list could go on forever) ... would cause your mouth to water and your stomach to growl.  Walking through the door on Thanksgiving or Christmas was sensory overload.  The greatness in the oven blending with the goodness on the stove top offset with the visual from the pie table was almost too much.  Watching mom in the kitchen bake every child’s favorite pie was a sight to see.  We’re not sure who could make a bigger mess, mom making pies or our father baking bread (just kidding, dad was messier).  The pie table would have 7-8 round tins of sugary goodness.  Mincemeat (raisin pie), pecan, pumpkin, cherry, chocolate, and key lime pie just to name a few.  Mom will be missed but her greatness in the kitchen will live in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  

We picture her now walking the dogs with our father, spreading bird seed for the pigeons and discussing what to bake, a loaf of bread (for his gravy) or his favorite pie (mincemeat).  She is survived by her son Charles Wayne Thornton Jr (Pumpkin with whipped cream), Laura Thornton (chocolate pie), daughter Toni Roten (Chocolate pie), (Chris Roten (pumpkin pie with whipped cream), son William Thornton (Pecan), Debbie Thornton (chocolate pie), daughter Ginny O'Neil (Cherry pie), Peter O'Neil (apple pie) 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 12;30 PM, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, 606 West Airport Freeway in Irving. Visitation will be 10:30 AM until service time Wednesday, October 25th. The burial will follow at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.