Carol L. Wilkins

Carol Louise Wilkins was born on January 3, 1934, in Varna, Illinois, to Lewis and Evelyn Norwood. She peacefully entered the presence of her Lord on June 29, 2026, at the age of 92, leaving behind a family who loved her dearly.

Carol is survived by her younger brother, Donald "Donnie" Norwood; her beloved companion of nearly twenty years, John Firestone; her son, Craig D. Wilkins and his fiancée, Kimberly, along with Kimberly's daughter, Natalie; her grandson, Tyler Wilkins; her great-grandson, Ely; her granddaughter, Jenny N. Miller; and her great-grandchildren, Amaya and Lizzette DeLaTorre and Trey Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Evelyn Norwood; her beloved husband, Kelley D. Wilkins; her parents-in-law, Charles H. and Hattie L. Wilkins; her longtime partner, Frank Westfall; her son, Harvey L. Wilkins; and her sister-in-law, Norma Norwood.

Carol attended Belvidere High School, where she participated in band, the Pep Club, and softball, graduating with the Class of 1953. After graduation, she attended nursing school before beginning a brief career with The Bell Telephone Company.

She married Kelley D. Wilkins in September 1954. Together they welcomed two sons, Harvey L. Wilkins in February 1959 and Craig D. Wilkins in October 1963.

Not long after, Carol began what would become her lifelong career with AlliedSignal, where she worked for many years until retiring in the early 1990s. Following retirement, she and Kelley moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas. After Kelley's passing, Carol continued to make Hot Springs her home for the next 33 years. She later found love again with Frank Westfall, and they shared many wonderful years together until his passing in 2005.

For nearly the last twenty years of her life, Carol shared a special companionship with her sweetheart, John Firestone, who moved into the neighborhood and swept her off her feet. Together they traveled the country, visiting family whenever they could and making countless memories. They enjoyed an active social life at Country Club Village, where Carol surely set a record or two in Ladder Ball and Bean Bag Baseball.

Carol was an absolute pistol. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind and had a colorful sense of humor that could make anyone laugh. She believed in keeping both her body and mind active, faithfully completing the crossword puzzle and Cryptoquote in the newspaper every day for decades. She loved reading each evening and never missed an episode of The Golden Girls, M*A*S*H, The Price Is Right, Jeopardy!, or Wheel of Fortune. She enjoyed her daily Diet Coke and never turned down an Arbor Mist during Happy Hour. Carol loved to travel, even though she hated to fly and never did learn how to swim.

She had a remarkable green thumb for vegetable gardening. She volunteered for many years at the local hospital, enjoyed social groups, and loved entertaining family and friends. More than anything, Carol loved her family fiercely and always made sure everyone had what they needed. She loved Jesus with all her heart, and her faith was the foundation of her life. She was the glue that held our family together.

Carol was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan, a proud Razorback fan, and a devoted Chicago Bears fan through every season.

Carol will be remembered for her strength, quick wit, unwavering faith, and unconditional love. Her legacy lives on through the generations she cherished so deeply. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing she is reunited with those who went before her and is forever at peace in the presence of her Savior. She is already greatly missed