Carole Ann Thum

Carole Ann Brown ThumAugust 5, 1942 – June 30, 2025

Carole Ann Brown Thum, 82, of Ocala, Florida, passed away on June 30th, 2025,peacefully in the loving care of her daughter, Kimberly in Macon, Georgia. Carole was born on August 5th, 1942, in Ocala, Florida to loving parents, Otis & Gertrude (Platt) Brown. She was a nurturing and loving big sister to her four siblings who remained a vital part of her life until the end.

Carole spent most of her young life growing up in Miami, Florida and as a teenager the family relocated to the Los Angeles, California area. She graduated from North Hollywood High School in Los Angeles. After spending the first 10 years of her adult life in the Northwest, she settled with her children back in Florida in 1971 and went to work for Florida Telephone in Ocala. After almost 30 years of service with Sprint(Florida Telephone), she retired to spend time traveling, cruising with her siblings and enjoying time at the beach with her grandson, Sean Anderson.

Carole was a loving mother to her son, Timothy Melville (Kathleen) and daughter, Kimberly Garrett (Benny) and was always just a phone call away when needed. She was a fun and adventurous grandmother that was always ready for trips to the beach and Disney World or cheering on Sean at every soccer game she could attend. 

Carole is survived by her husband, William “Billy” Thum of Ocala, FL; her son, Timothy Melville (Kathleen) of Belleview, FL; her daughter, Kimberly Garrett (Benny) of Macon, GA; her grandson, Sean Anderson of Atlanta, GA; her sisters, Elissa Kay of Edmonds, WA and Susan Shipman (Walt) of Jekyll Island, GA; and her brother, Mike Brown (Darla)of Summerfield, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otis Brown and Gertrude (Platt) Woodruff; her brother, Otis “Butch” Brown; and grandson, John F. Anderson.

A celebration of Carole’s Homecoming will be held Saturday, July 26th at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00am at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home, 5946 SE Robinson Rd, Belleview, FL 34420. Family and friends are invited to gather at Mike and Darla Brown’s residence at 12864 SE 97th Terrace Rd, Summerfield, FL 34491 (Del Webb Spruce Creek) after the graveside service at Pinel Level Cemetery in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, Tribute Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org