Carole Joyce Garner

Carole Joyce Garner, 82, of Waterloo, passed away on March 6, 2026. Born on February 8, 1944, in Sheffield, Alabama, she lived a life centered on deep love for her family and a quiet strength that touched everyone who knew her.

As a young girl, Carole grew up next door to her best friend, Mary, whose brother Thomas Theodore Garner would become the love of her life. She waited for Thomas while he served in the Navy, and they married on April 6, 1962. Their marriage was marked by dedication and enduring affection. In the early years, they lived in a small house in Tuscumbia, where they welcomed three children—Diane, Carolyn, and Tommy—with Thomas’s sister Julie by their side. In 1976, while expecting their youngest daughter Alicia, they moved to Waterloo, where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives together.

Carole found joy in simple, meaningful things. She loved tending her yard, planting flowers, mowing with her collection of lawnmowers, and building fires whenever she could. She enjoyed treasure hunting at thrift stores, especially The Blue Door, and sharing her finds with those she loved. Her favorite outings included stopping at Berry’s One Stop for scratch-off tickets and pizza. She cherished quiet evenings watching Swamp People and Naked and Afraid with her beloved dog, Anna, in her lap. Most of all, she delighted in welcoming her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren into her home, making sure every visitor felt warmly received and well fed. Her strong faith was central to her life, and she was a longtime member of Valley View House of Prayer, often bringing her grandchildren to church with her.

Carole was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Theodore “TT” Garner; her parents, Algia and Turner Hollins; her brothers, Ronald and Cletus Hollins; her brother-in-law Gerald Garner; her sisters-in-law Sally Ann and Rosie Garner; and her grandchildren Bethany and Benjamin Garner. She is survived by her children, Shelia Diane Sharp (Jeff), Carolyn Wiley, Thomas Garner Jr. (Amy), and Alicia “Lisa” Elliott (John); her brothers Steve Hollins (Jama) and Donald Hollins (Judy); her brothers-in-law John and Jackie Garner; her sisters-in-law Mary Honeycutt (Ron), Julie Zills (Bob), and Linda Bostick (Lewis); her grandchildren Amy Sharp, Amanda Price (Matt), Ashley Morris (Josh), Jessica Abbot (Colin), Shalina Thornley (Travis), Ricky Wiley (Becky), Matthew Wiley, Kaitlin Anicic (Matt), Caylee Garner, Dalton George (Ben), Malicia George (Garrett), Dacota George (Harlee), and Dawson George; 21 great-grandchildren; and special loved ones Michael George and family.