Caroline Elizabeth Mayhugh

Caroline Elizabeth Boellner Mayhugh, “Carol”, passed away on February 15, 2025 at her home in Hot Springs. Carol was born on July 25, 1941 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to Wilber William Boellner and Emma anita Doane Boellner. She was married for 51 years to the love of her life, Joel Ogden Mayhugh, until his death on July 2017. They were proud parents of daughter, Katherine Mayhugh Ellison (John) who survives her.

Carol spent the first few years of her life in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of six, she, her older brother Sam, and their mother returned to Arkadelphia to live with her maternal grandparents, Dr. Samuel and Fannie Purcell Doane. Dr. Doane was a respected physician in Arkadelphia. The family home was a beautiful Antebellum home filled with antiques and was a gathering place for friends and neighbors. Carol’s friends were happy to be invited and looked forwards to her mother’s delicious fried chicken and biscuits. Arkadelphia was an idyllic place to live and grow up, where people sat on front porches and welcomed visitors. Everyone came home for lunch, children rode bicycles, everyone walked to friends’ homes and to town to visit Ben Franklin and Sterling stores or to the Dairy Queen for ice cream. It was a time when doors were seldom locked and neighbors looked after one another. Carol enjoyed all the advantages a small town had to offer in the 1950’s. She attended Arkadelphia public schools and looked forwards to summer vacations spent in St. Louis with her father and stepmother, Vada, whom she adored. Carol graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1960 and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. She completed her degree at Henderson State College. Soon after graduation she met Ogden and they married in 1966.

While Ogen served in the United States Army, they lived in Killeen, Texas. After their return to Arkansas they settled in North Little Rock. They were overjoyed when their daughter, Katherine, was born in 1970 completing their family.

Ogden began a 35 year career with Merrill Lynch while Carol was busy creating a welcoming home for family and friends. She was a member of the Nroth Little Rock Service League, the PTA at Katherine’s school and was engaged in her many activities including soccer, softball, gymnastics, and swimming. The family belonged to Park Hill Baptist Church and enjoyed time spent there with friends.

Carol treasured life’s simple pleasures. She loved to bake cookies and tend to her flower garden. Above all else, her greatest joy was being Ogden’s wife and Katherine’s mother.

In the early 1990’s, the family moved to Hot Springs where Ogden continued working at Merrill Lynch. They had new friends, a new city, and enjoyed many years living on the lake where the view was lovely and life was good.

Carol will be remembered as a trusted and loyal friend, a devoted daughter, wife, and mother, and a woman whose kindness, sweet nature, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Ogden; her mother, father, grandparents, aunt, uncle, Dr. Sam Boellner of Tennessee; and brother, Dr. Sam Boellner of Little Rock.

Katherine took loving care of her mother after Ogden’s death and enabled her to live in her home until her passing.

Carol will remain in our hearts always.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.