Carol was born on July 1, 1930, at home in Roodhouse, Illinois, to Elmer McKinley and Lucille Fontella (nee Marmon) Silvernail. She was greeted by her 10 1/2 month old sister, Donetta Patricia (nee Spencer/Wendt). According to family legend, Carol was so premature, that she easily fit into a shoebox at birth, and her “incubator” was the open door of a warm oven. After graduating from Roodhouse Community High School, Carol attended Gem City Business College, in Quincy, Illinois, and MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, traveling back home each day by train. She later moved to St. Louis, Missouri to work, living at The Evangeline Residence, a young ladies boarding house. It was there, while attending 3rd Baptist Church, she met Henry Thomas Frey (1927-2014). Carol and Tom were married on September 1, 1956, and immediately moved to Maryland, where Tom was pursuing his Masters Degree at The University of Maryland. Never one to stay at home, Carol sought employment, and worked for the Department of Agriculture as a stenographer in the Entomology Research Division. Their first son, John Thomas, was born in 1957, and Robert McKinley completed the family in 1960. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Springfield, Virginia, where Carol began her long and successful career in Real Estate, having an active license from February 16, 1966 through March 31, 2017. Carol worked for several agencies over the years:
Bob Reiner Real Estate
Routh Robbins Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Town and Country Real Estate
Long and Foster Real Estate
Carol was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Sales Club, and she believed “that service is the single most important asset”. She rarely advertised her services, finding a booming business by word of mouth from her clients. She catered to a large military clientele, often selling the same service member several homes over the course of their military careers. She kept in touch with just about every client with her yearly newsletter, and her consistent flow of greeting cards.
Carol also loved politics. She was an active member of the George Mason Republican Women’s Club, and campaigned and worked the polls on election day for decades. She loved to drag her young sons along with her when she went door to door for her candidates. Her favorite candidate was her son, John, for whom she tirelessly campaigned year round.
But neither real estate nor politics was Carol’s true passion. Her heart, her zeal, was for telling people about Jesus. After moving to the east coast, Tom and Carol first joined Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC, then later, they transferred to First Baptist Church of Springfield, Virginia. Carol was never without a Bible to read, a tract to hand out, and a welcoming word to tell about her Savior. She had a special desire to witness to Jewish people about the true Messiah. Carol was known for her hospitality to traveling groups and missionaries, as well as her generous support for missions work through Campus Crusade for Christ, Jews for Jesus.
Carol never met a stranger, her short stature belied her big personality. She could, and would, talk to anyone! Carol considered the world her friend.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lucille, and by her beloved husband, Tom. Survivors are sons, John (Sheila) of Springfield, and Bob (Libba) of Jackson, Mississippi, sister, Pat Wendt (Robert), six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, with a third great-grandchild due in a month!
Visitation will be at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA on Saturday, May 27, 2017, from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorial service will be at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary Street, Springfield, VA on Sunday, May 28 at 2 p.m. Carol will be buried next to Tom on Saturday, June 3rd at 10 a.m. at the Springfield Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Tennessee.
Memorials may be made to Jews for Jesus, http://www.jewsforjesus.org
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
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