Dr. Carol Yvonne Williams Thornton was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to the late Mr. Norman, Sr. and Mrs. Essie B. Williams. She was of the Catholic faith and attended St. Jude Catholic Church and later Resurrection Catholic Church. On August 12, 2021, Carol peacefully departed this earthly life to embrace an eternal life. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from First Baptist Church, 347 North Ripley Street with Rev. Christopher Allen, officiating. Interment in Eastwood Memorial Garden. Carol received her formal public education at St. Jude Educational Institute, Montgomery, Alabama. She then matriculated at Mount Saint Scholastica College, Atchison, Kansas, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She went on to receive a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee. Upon graduating from Meharry Medical College, she returned to her hometown and commenced employment with Equitable Life Assurance Company. Her historic dental career began with National Health Service Corp/USPHS in offices in Hayneville and Tuskegee, Alabama. The first female dentist in Montgomery, Alabama, Carol opened her private dental practice in January 1979, with offices in Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama. Later, she began working as the Director of Dental Clinic and General Dentistry for the State of Alabama Department of Public Health. She then worked with Health Services, Inc. as a staff dentist. Carol ended her distinguished dental career of 36 years with Central Alabama Veterans Care System, Montgomery, Alabama, as a staff dentist. Upon retiring, Carol continued to fulfill her calling and worked part-time with Sarrell Dental Center, Montgomery, Alabama. In addition to working as a dentist professionally, Carol served honorably in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years in the field of dentistry. She retired having achieved the rank of Captain. Carol enjoyed affiliations with the American Dental Association, Federal Dentist Program, Alabama Dental Association, Second District Dental Society, Best Friends Bridge Club, Tuskegee / Montgomery, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Carol met the man of her dreams, Willie Thornton, in 1988 at Resurrection Catholic Church. They became instant friends, and their treasured friendship blossomed into everlasting love. She was happily married to and best friends with Willie Thornton for over 30 years. Willie will continue to carry his best friend and wife in his heart. Carol is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Dr. Willie E. Thornton; her loving son, who was the apple of her eye, Nicholas Earl Thornton; two sisters: Norma Jeanne (Ronald) Vance, Montgomery, AL, and Brenda Law-Williams, Charlotte, NC; one brother, Norman (Gloria Jean) Williams, Jr., Montgomery, AL; an aunt, Margaret Dickinson, Montgomery, AL; three sisters-in law: Norma Thornton-Bishop and Fannie Harris of Montgomery, AL, and Bessie Pierce, New York, NY; six brothers-in-law: Charles Thornton and Alfred (Gail) Thornton of Montgomery, AL; Roger (Juanita) Thornton, Jonesboro, GA; Herman (Yulander) Thornton; James Tyner, Montgomery, AL; and Roy Tyner, Pine Bluff, AR; Godchildren Cory (Jasmine) Vance, Birmingham, AL, and Juel Taylor, Los Angeles, CA; God-daughter, Rosalyn Stanford, Montgomery, AL; friend, soror and classmate of Meharry Medical College, Dr. Jaehneth “Tookie” Taylor; devoted friend and co-worker, Dr. Penny White; friend and co-worker, Ms. Faye Outsey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Omega Omega Rites will be held Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. and family hour from 7:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. from the chapel of Ross-Clayton Funeral Home.