Carol Hollingshead

A loving mom, and awesome Mimi and a spirited friend may be gone, but the light she brought to all who knew her will live on, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carol Caldwell Hollingshead, who left us on January 18. It was far too soon for those of us she left but her life serves as a shining example on how to enjoy every moment and leave no regrets

Carol was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1938, to Harriet and Carl Gleason. From an early age, was an avid sailor and a talented artist. She graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and married her college sweetheart Richard Caldwell. Together they had four children Natalie, Jonathan, Rachel and Sarah. Rachel succumbed to sudden infant death syndrome at just a few months old.

Carol moved to Hot Springs with her family in 1973 when her husband Richard was transferred due to his job. It was a bit of a culture shock moving to a: small Southern town after having built a life in New England. But in true Carol style, she embraced the change fearlessly, made a host of new friends and called Hot Springs home. The presence of the city's lake scene did help, as she was able to nurture her love of life on the water. She and Richard started Boat City Marina, a successful business for many years, and she launched her own real estate career which took off quickly as the city was growing rapidly.

In 1989, Richard died unexpectedly and, determined to make her own way, Carol leaned into her real estate business. She created Century 21 Caldwell Realty as owner/broker and was highly respected in the Hot Springs business and civic community. She served on the Hot Springs Planning Commission, the Membership Committee for the Fine Arts Center and Vestry of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. She was also a lifetime member of the Arkansas Realtor Association's Million Dollar Club.

After being on her own for almost half a decade, Carol found love again with Bill Hollingshead, a fellow member at Hot Springs Country Club. They married in 1997 and through almost two decades- until Bill's passing in 2015shared many adventures, including boating, golfing, traveling and doting on grandchildren.

Family meant everything to Carol, and she will be remembered by them for things like her thoughtful phone calls, fun holiday celebrations and truly amazing clam chowder. Missing her are her kids and spouses Natalie (Brent), Jonathan (Chal) and Sarah (Derek), stepson Brad Hollingshead (Angie)-plus her precious grandkids, Sarah, Rachel, Peyton, Ethan, Sophie and Emily. Carol was predeceased by her first husband Richard, second husband Bill, daughter Rachel and her brother Bill Gleason.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 4pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, reception to follow. Those who knew and loved Carol are invited to come and share a few tears, a lot of laughter and our favorite memories. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 228 Spring St, Hot Springs, AR 71901