The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Carol was born in Los Angeles, California and spent some growing-up years in Southern California. At age 10 the family moved to Bella Vista in Northern California, near Redding. While there, she enjoyed small-town, rural activities: exploring on their bicycles, playing in the creek, and rescuing pollywogs when the creek began to dry up. In later years she added water skiing and snow skiing to her activities.

Carol graduated from Shasta High School in 1976, then moved back to Southern California to attend the Chaffey College School of Court Reporting. She was certified in 1981 and pursued this challenging and interesting career for 38 years as an independent contractor, taking mostly depositions in attorney offices.

In 1999 Carol bought a house in Roseville, California to be closer to her folks and other family members. In 2007, at a Christian singles campout at Lake Tahoe, she met her future husband, Grayson Sorrels, a retired fire captain from the California Department of Forestry. When they married in 2010, Carol moved to Paradise, California, where Grayson had lived since 1979. They enjoyed traveling and camping. Carol and Grayson volunteered for several years with Access Adventure, an organization started by Michael Muir, great-grandson of John Muir. Access Adventure is headquartered at a historical ranch on Grizzly Island Road, near Suisun, and serves the disabled community through rides and campouts using specially constructed wagons pulled by draft horses, and other equestrian activities.

Grayson and Carol decided to move to Sisters and began making plans to accomplish that. The Paradise "Camp" Fire in November 2018 altered the plan and also the timeline. Carol escaped the fire while rescuing a 90-year-old neighbor and Grayson left town in their cabover camper, aiding two men and a dog escaping on foot, one on crutches. Although they lost nearly all they owned, they felt blessed compared to many who lost their lives, homes, employment, pets, sense of community, etc. While enjoying peace through their strong faith, they watched God orchestrate their move to Sisters and provide all their needs. The timing allowed Carol to retire a year earlier than planned, they didn't have to sell their house, and they didn't have too much to move - easiest move ever!

In Sisters, Carol continued her volunteer tradition in the Community Church with the offering count and as a greeter at the visitors' booth. She also enjoyed serving alongside many wonderful people at the Wellhouse Food Pantry.

Carol faced her cancer diagnosis and deteriorating health with a gracious attitude of gratitude and was and is an inspiration to many. Sisters and the Sisters Community Church have been a welcoming, loving, and supportive family from day one, and most especially during the recent difficult months.

Carol is survived by her husband of 13 years, a sister, Lynn Lewis, a brother, Mark Stewart, an aunt, Jane Kensinger, many nieces and nephews, cousins, plus a large extended family.

Lovingly laid to rest in the Sparlin Cemetery in Williams, Oregon, with a Celebration of Life service at Sisters Community Church. Thanks to all who loved her so well.