Carol Davis Steele passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, in the early morning hours of February 4, 2025 in Gilbert, Arizona at the age of 84.

Born December 29th, 1940 in Galax, Virginia, Carol was the first of five daughters raised by Emmet James and Pauline Davis. She grew up in a house built by her father on a farm tended to by the family. She attended Galax High School, where she made friendships that endured for the entirety of her life.

Carol studied Business Education at Madison College, now known as James Madison University. It was here she met her lifelong partner, James Steele, a cadet at Virginia Tech. After graduating, Carol married James on June 19th, 1965 and began an active life of travel as James enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, residing in Massachusetts, Ohio, California, and eventually Northern Virginia. Together, they raised two children, Kristin and Michael. After a career in education, Carol retired and moved with James to reside in Fredericksburg, Virginia near their daughter and three grandchildren.

Carol Steele was a strong woman who loved her family above all else. Her knowledge of her genealogy and ancestry was unparalleled and shared widely among her relatives. She was eager to share stories and would remember the smallest details from conversations she shared years prior. While her heart was always, and will remain, in Appalachia, her spirit has returned to the shores of Duck, North Carolina, the only place this Earth could provide her with rest and comfort.

Carol is predeceased by her son, Michael, her loving husband James, her mother and father, and her sister Mary Beth. She is survived by her sisters Grace, Geraldine, and Martha, her daughter Kristin, her son-in-law Christopher, and her three grandchildren Andrew, Michael, and Kayleigh and her two great granddaughters Mia and Aria.

Her life will be remembered at Vaughan-Guynn Chapel on Saturday, February 15th. Greeting and viewing will begin at 10:00am. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 am, burial will follow in the Mt. Vale Methodist Church Cemetery.

We dearly miss Carol, but are eager to reunite her with her husband and son. Please join us, her family, and her friends in this celebration.