Carol Ann Batchelor, age 79, of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, died on June 6, 2026. She had suffered from a long illness triggered by a heart valve replacement. She was the ultimate lover of animals and people; and people loved her for her kindness.
Carol was born Dec. 26, 1946, and reared in Fayetteville by her parents, Carroll and Mabel Phillips. She had twin sisters, Mary Cate and Linda Moyer. Her siblings and parents predeceased Carol.
She graduated from high school in Fayetteville and attended Arkansas Tech in Russellville. Carol loved art and music. She, family, and friends had many good times on Beaver Lake. Most summer weekends consisted of boating, camping, and skiing.
Carol married James (Jim) Batchelor after meeting him in 1970 on Dixon Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas and dating for six months. At her death they had been married for 55 years. They traveled together all over the U.S. and to many foreign countries. One of the best trips was to the Vatican in Rome, Italy; they had also walked together on many beaches in the South Pacific, Bahamas, and other places. Jim and Carol had one son, Zachary. She is survived by Zachary and a few cousins, nieces, and nephews. She treasured all the times she’s been with Zachary and her best family friend and in-law Mary Louise Richardson.
Carol was in the dry-cleaning business with her parents in her 20s and then worked in the petite clothes department at Dillard’s in several cities for many years. Carol and Jim retired to their Greers Ferry Lake home, which started as a tent on a lake front lot in 1987 which they slowly built and improved over the years, before they built their retirement home in 2012. Carol loved the lake life while living and boating around Shiloh.
Carol always had dogs and later cats as well and too many to name but some of her favorites were Bitzy, Girly, Ozzy, and Minnie. She also loved the Razorbacks and was a great fan of many Razorback sports. Her family and friends Shep and Susan Akins, had season football tickets together for many years.
Carol was Roman Catholic and attended Catholic churches wherever she lived with Jim. St. John the Baptist in Brinkley, Ark., was the church were Carol’s faith grew the most because of Abbot, Marcel Rooney, and close friends, Carl and Kathy Frien.
Carol Ann Batchelor had a wonderful life full of love and kindness and she will be missed greatly.