Carolyn Ory Thornton

Carolyn Ory Thornton, a resident of the Baton Rouge area for 53 years, died peacefully on April 27, 2026, surrounded by here family. Carolyn was born in Franklin, La on Nov. 16, 1942 and was 83 years old. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sidney C. Ory and Naomi ‘Mim’ Ory, and her sister Barbara McCarroll Walley, all from Lafayette. 

Carolyn was a life long Catholic, and she loved her Church. She received a BA from USL in Lafayette in 1964, and a MA from LSU in 1967. She married Cole Thornton from Tennessee on August 12, 1967, and they were married nearly 59 years. 

Carolyn leaves behind her husband Cole, her two children Cole, Jr. (Amy Thornton) and Cydnie Thornton Randow, and four grandsons that she adored, Ben Randow, Jr., Jack Randow, Sam Randow, and Cole Thornton, III. She was warmly referred to as Honey. 

Carolyn taught religion at St.Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge. She was a champion debater in high school and college. She could make a presentation on call with few notes. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority at USL. At age 45, she decided to start a business to improve communications between people in the work place. She was an expert in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and clients included Exxon, Chevron and many local banks. She also lectured at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. 

She was truly a woman for all seasons. She never met a stranger and had many friends. She was a member of the Baton Rouge Study Club, the Pelican Book Club, the St. Francisville Garden Club, and a founding member of The Red Shoes. 

Services for Carolyn will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Ave, Baton Rouge on Monday May 4, with visitation from 9:30 am to 11 am, and the funeral mass at 11 am. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Red Shoes, 2303 Government St., Baton Rouge 70806 and Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, 3772 North Blvd, Baton Rouge 70806.