Carolyn Cagle Thompson

Carolyn Penny Lee Cagle Thompson, 83, of High Point, NC, was called Home by our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, she was peacefully resting at home with family.

Born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Carolyn lived a life full of deep love, unwavering faith, and extraordinary strength. She spent her days nurturing her family, friends, her beloved animals, and the vegetable and flower gardens that she eagerly awaited to plant and work in every year. Her love was vast and generous—whether you were kin, a neighbor, a friend, someone that she just met, or a creature in need, Carolyn made space in her heart for you.

Carolyn was a faithful servant of God and a devoted follower of Jesus. Since 1979, she was an active member of Deep River Church of Christ in High Point, formerly named “Eastchester”. It was there where she truly felt the Holy Spirit, she witnessed and experienced the profound Love of Jesus. She and her family received nonjudgmental support, found strength, community, joy, peace, and purpose.

She was married to the love of her life, Jim Thompson, for 50 years until his passing in 2021. They were introduced by the minister at the Church of Christ in Alamance County, NC, where they both were living. They quickly fell head over heels and were married in 1971. Jim adored Carolyn and he would always try to make her feel special and loved, his face would light up when he saw her, which was one of the many things she missed when he passed. Carolyn was a force to be reckoned with! Although she was sweet as pie, she could also be feisty! Pretty much nothing could keep her from accomplishing her “to do list” and goals! She carried this same drive and energy all the way up into her “Dementia Years”, it was amazing. She did not like to sit still and would get bored quickly if she wasn’t kept busy. Even though Carolyn worked fulltime, was taking care of household responsibilities, raising children, helping take care of elderly parents, plus had several hobbies that she tried to keep up in addition to the gardening, like sewing, which she was an expert at and made a lot of their clothes, even suits for Jim and herself – she somehow still managed to find time to make everyone feel special and loved. Jim and Carolyn were both silly, they constantly laughed, a whole lot at themselves, and had fun together. They loved to go on travel adventures with family and friends, especially to the mountains, even if just for the day. Together they weathered many rough storms, but they got back up, dusted off, and continued to push forward, committed, and determined that God and their love would prevail. Together they raised a beautiful family, that brought Carolyn immense pride and endless joy.

Beginning in Carolyn’s childhood, she worked on her grandparents’ sharecropper farms, developing a lifelong affection for animals—from cats, dogs, chickens, cows, a huge pig and a mule, but she adored the horses the most.

As a young adult, Carolyn did own several horses but had to put horse ownership on hold while she was raising a family and working outside the home. She never let go of her dream though. After retiring from Gilbarco in 2000, she reignited her passion by working at a friend’s horse farm. With her beloved husband, Jim, by her side, she rescued several horses, gave them love, peace and security until the end of their days. Among them was a retired show horse named, Sir Sundae, with whom Carolyn shared an especially deep bond. Sundae brought her immeasurable joy and pride. When Sundae crossed over the rainbow bridge, Carolyn gently laid down her role as a horse owner—but not her love for the work. Together with Jim, she continued working side by side at Steeple Hill Farm, where they found peace and purpose caring for the land and their lively flock of 30 chickens. Through rain or snow, they remained steadfast in their devotion to the animals and to each other. The farm was a reflection of their shared values: hard work, faith, and simple, honest joy.

Carolyn was the strongest person, in countless ways, that many of us have ever known. From childhood, Carolyn faced and overcame trials that would have broken most people. Through every hardship, she stood tall with incredible determination, offering a smile, a kind word, and a positive spirit rooted in her deep faith. “I’m going to fight this!”— became her battle cry. She lit up every room with her signature, cheerful reminder: “Don’t worry, be happy!” Carolyn lived by those words every day of her life. Even in her later years, as she bravely battled Lewy Bodies Dementia, she remained certain and not confused, of where her strength, blessings and joy came from, of who her Savior was. Her faith remained intact and steadfast. She continued to pray daily—offering thanksgiving and seeking guidance for herself, loved ones and anyone that was suffering and in need.

She lovingly cared for her husband, Jim, through his final years, reflecting the same selflessness and loyalty she gave throughout her life. We know that in passing, she has received her heavenly crown and has been joyfully reunited with Jim, and others that she loved and missed so dearly.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her Husband of 50 years, Jim Thompson; Son, Billy Thompson, Daughter-In-law, Kathy Thompson; Father, Earnest Cagle; Mother, Virgie Frady; and Grandparents, Avery and Callie Wilson. Also, her ever so sweet, cuddly, and loyal furry companion of 7 years, her cat, Shadow, passed away unexpectantly in December 2024.

She is survived by her three daughters: Geri Boozer (Forrest) of Cary, NC; Donna Smith (Bob) of Mooresville, NC; and Ellen Smith (Phil) of Rural Hall, NC. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Carolyn’s life was a living testimony—of grace in adversity, joy in simplicity, and faith through every season. She will be missed more than words can ever express, but her spirit and love live on in the countless lives she touched.

“WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.”

We WILL see you AGAIN!

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held on, Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Deep River Church of Christ in High Point, NC.

For friends and family that were not able to attend the Memorial Service, the recorded Live Service is Online on Deep River Church of Christ’s website, for anyone to view, and will be on their website indefinitely. Please follow the below steps for Online Memorial Service Access.

Online Memorial Service Access

1. Go to https://www.deepriverchurchofchrist.org (https://www.deepriverchurchofchrist.org/)

2. Select - SOCIAL MEDIA - at the top of page

3. Next select - YOUTUBE

4. Then select - LIVE

5. Then select - Carolyn Thompson’s Celebration of Life Memorial Service

In lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to the Deep River Church of Christ Benevolence Fund in Honor of Carolyn.

Wright Funerals-Cremations, High Point is in charge of arrangements.