Ephie Carolyn Thomas was born April 9, 1946 in Hamburg Arkansas the first child of David and Phenton Walker. A few years later they relocated to California and began to grow their family to five by adding Ken and Peggy.
Carolyn graduated from Mount Whitney High School and soon afterward married Jerry Cantrell. The couple spent many weekends at Jacks Ranch because Jerry enjoyed playing music and singing, Carolyn was content to watch him and listen.
Ten months later they welcomed their first daughter Kelly and three years later Cindy made the final addition to their little family. She and Jerry saw both their daughters marry and grow their own families. Kelly and Charles Henry had four children, Amanda, Nathan, Lyra and Travis. Cindy and Larry Borges have two sons, Zachary and Seth.
Carolyn and Jerry were married for 38 years when he passed away on June 14, 2001. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to meet their 2 great grandchildren, Ariel and Grayson. Carolyn was a wonderful mother, grandma and GiGi.
After Jerry passed Carolyn found another wonderful husband, Jim Thomas and they had 13 years together. The couple joined the Visalia Nazarene Church where they became faithful members. Jim has a beautiful bass voice and sang at several 50+ group meetings, Carolyn loved the home bible studies and serving on different committees. She loved Jesus, she loved her family, she loved her church and she loved helping people.
She enjoyed reading, gardening, shopping with ANYONE, playing games and road trips with the girls.
After working 25 plus years for a local manufacturer, Voltage Multipliers, Inc. Carolyn retired leaving many wonderful friends some of whom she remained close friends with for life.
Carolyn went to her heavenly home on August 9, 2021, she was 75 years young.
She was preceded in death by her parents, spouse Jerry and daughter Kelly. She is survived by her husband Jim, daughters Cindy (Larry) Borges, Leslie Castillo, Karen (Steve) Nicholson, sons Chris and Jimmy Thomas. Grandchildren, Amanda (Brandon) Scott, Nathan (Danielle) Henry, Zachary (Joanna), Borges, Seth Borges, Lyra Henry, Travis (Lexi) Henry, Mark (Nellie) Castillo, Maddy Castillo, Jackie and Brittany Feinberg. Great Grandchildren Ariel Harry, Grayson Henry, Damian and Sumarah Castillo. Siblings Ken (Kathy) Walker and Peggy (Herman) Polecat. She will also be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins her Aunt Bobbie Pullin and many friends.
A celebration of life for Ephie will be held Sunday, August 29, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 West Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA 93291.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Thomas family.
