Carol Mallory departed this life at 8:12 a.m. Sunday, April 30 after a brief illness. She was a loving wife, caring mother, devoted friend, and doting Nana. She also happened to make the best chocolate pie in the world.

Carol was born on March 15, 1952 to James and Mildred Conway. She was the youngest of four children and the only girl. Despite her mother’s insistence that she act like a proper young lady, Carol preferred to follow her big brothers into the field, riding horses, shooting guns, and digging in the dirt. Her love of the outdoors started at a young age and never faltered.

During her senior year of high school, a new student named Jim Mallory moved to town. He was immediately captivated by Carol’s outgoing personality and her beautiful smile. She was not easily won over but Jim’s persistence paid off. She agree to a date. It wasn't long until Carol was as head over heels in love as Jim. The two married in 1972 and moved to Arkansas where they opened an insurance agency. Jim worked as an agent while Carol managed the business. She loved the chance to get to know everyone in her new community. Jim’s clients joked that when something unfortunate happened, the insurance payment was nice, but what they really appreciated was the bouquet of flowers or her famous chocolate pie that Carol would drop off to let the person know she was thinking of them.

In 1979, their first son, Todd, was born, followed by Ross in 1981 and Sam in 1982. Carol loved being a mom to her three boys and her childhood with three older brothers had well prepared her for the mess and the noise. Carol stepped back from the insurance agency to raise her sons. She was their biggest cheerleader, driving all over the state to every sporting event you can imagine. Her van was always full of baseball bats, football pads, snacks, sports drinks, and most of all, love and encouragement. She taught the boys to play hard and do their best but above all, to be team players and kind humans.

When the boys were in college, Carol split her time between helping at the insurance agency and cultivating her garden. Her yard was a regular winner of the city’s Yard of the Month Award. Carol took pride in her green thumb, but mostly, she took joy in sharing her vegetables with her neighbors or the church food pantry. If you came home to find a chocolate pie and a fresh bouquet of flowers on your doorstep, you knew Carol Mallory had been by to visit.

In 2003, her first grandchild was born and Carol became Nana. It wasn’t long before she bought herself a new van and was back on the road, supporting her grandchildren from the sidelines and attending every school performance. Carol’s most favorite times were when her grandchildren came to visit. They will always remember the special times with Nana, watching movies in the elaborate forts she helped to construct or camping out with her on the porch during the spring and fall.

Once Jim retired in 2012, he and Carol began traveling. When they weren’t visiting their children and grandchildren, they were off to see the world. Forever best friends, the two made the most of their retirement years, visiting Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Hawaii and making several cross country road trips. They never ran out of things to say to each other during the long hours in the car but sometimes, they also passed the time by singing out-of-tune duets.

Carol will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, friends, family, and Jim. Although her absence will leave a hole that can never be filled, her family takes great comfort in knowing hers was a life well lived. She will be remembered each time flowers bloom in the spring or someone attempts to make a chocolate pie as well as her. Carol was a blessing to each person who had the honor to know her.

Carol is survived by her husband, Jim; three sons Todd Mallory (his wife, Beth), Ross Mallory (his wife, Stacie), and Sam Mallory (his wife, Ashley); and grandchildren, Rainey, Kayla, Evy, Reid, Wes, Tom and Archer; as well as two brothers, Miller and Wyatt.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Matthew.

Although Carol loved flowers, she preferred to grow and pick her own and so in lieu of flowers, the family asks that Carol’s memory be honored with contributions to the American Cancer Society.

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