After a brief illness, Carol Thorn McClaugherty born September 14, 1947, to Robert Essie Thorn and Alice Porterfield Thorn, quietly passed away in her sleep March 19, 2024. Carol was born and raised in Princeton and except for brief stints in Louisville, Kentucky and Little Rock, Arkansas – died in Princeton. She graduated from Princeton High School Class of 1965 where she made friends for a lifetime while participating in Student Council, Pep Club, Future Teachers, Keyettes, Girls' State, and a majorette in Princeton High School's All State Band. Even though Wake Forest was Carol's first choice for college, she ultimately went to and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from Concord College in 1969 where she became certified to teach French and Spanish. Her first jobs in education were at Fairview in Bluefield before moving to Lousiville, KY where she took a job across the river for a year in Indiana. After having her first child, Carol decided to leave education to stay home with her kids for the next decade. In the early 80's, Carol went back to teaching while also working to achieve a master's in education from West Virginia University. She taught at Athens High School where she always spoke fondly of memories with 'her kids.' She also briefly taught at Spanishburg and Montcalm before taking an administrative position with Mercer County Schools as the coordinator of Career Connections. She loved her role at Career Connections because she got out and interacted with the community while still having a positive impact on students and their career goals.

Because of Career Connections and Carol's husband, Herb, Carol became involved in Rotary International and served as a past president of both the Rotary Club of Bluefield and the Rotary Club of Princeton. After Carol's leadership in Rotary, she was excited to follow Herb around the countryside while he served as District Governor for Rotary International District 7550. Herb says she was an integral part of his success during this time. Carol is an honored Paul Harris Fellow. She was an invaluable member of the Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce where she served on various committees, but most notably the original committee that planned the first Women's Expo. She served on the board of directors for Princeton Community Hospital for 10 years during this time which enabled her to use the HR skills she gained while also working part-time as the HR Director at The Dean Company in Princeton. After retiring, Carol wasted no time getting to the beach. At the time of her death, she was a resident of South Carolina, a long-time dream.

Those left to cherish her memory: A.H. 'Herb' McClaugherty, Carol's husband of 57 years; her daughters, Alicia Hypes and Heather Cisco; and Michael Cisco. Her favorites, Elizabeth Hypes, Jakob Cisco, Lauren Cisco, and Taryn Ross. Her Aunt Betty Thorn and her high school best friends: Pam, Francie, Susan, Sharon, and Teresa. Finally, dear friends: Candy, Peggy, and Sandy – cheers to Girls' Night Out!

Services to honor and celebrate the life of Carol McClaugherty will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, March 23, 2024, from the Chapel of Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road with Reverend Dr. Edwin Pettus officiating.  Friends may visit with the family from Noon until the service hour at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Princeton Presbyterian Church, 1809 W. Main Street, Princeton, WV 24740 or to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com.

The McClaugherty family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.