Carol Jean Thomas Culpepper, 73, realized the promises of her lifelong faith and is now walking on the Streets of Gold with her Savior and her family who went before her. Carol departed this earthly pilgrimage from Gilmore Hospital in Amory on June 19, 2024, after a lingering illness. Born in Vardaman on January 20, 1951, to the late Dick Thomas and Colleen Moyer Moore Thomas, she moved to Okolona as a young girl and lived there the rest of her life. Carol married Robert E. Culpepper on Oct. 27, 1979, and he survives. Carol loved helping people and chose nursing as her career choice. Devoted, dedicated and patient-centered, Carol graduated from Okolona High School in 1969 and ultimately got her BS in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women (the W). Her career was split between working at Shearer-Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona and the North Mississippi State Hospital in Tupelo where she was loved and respected until her retirement. A great admirer of God’s beautiful creation, Carol cherished spending time outdoors, loving animals, and soaking up nature to the fullest. She was a devoted member of the Carnation Baptist Church in Okolona and an avid stamp collector.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM on Monday, June 24, 2024 at the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Pastor Jody Rock officiating. Private family burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park in Verona. Visitation will begin at Noon Monday and continue until service time. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving the family.
Carol is survived by her husband of 44 years, Robert Culpepper of Okolona; daughter, Angie Thompson of Bruce; grandchildren, John Robert Harmon of Okolona, and Lexie Harmon Jones (Idarias) of Bruce; two great-grandchildren, Jasper Jones and Lane Stokes; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Colleen Thomas; and siblings, Charles “Butch” Thomas, Cheryl Davis, Chandra Alford, Cyndi Moore, and Clifton “Bugg” Thomas.
Memorials in her honor may be made to Carnation Baptist Church, C/O Jimmy Bailey, 101 E Monroe Ave, Okolona, MS, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, TN 38105.
