Carol Rosalie Horvath-Hamilton, 85, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026. Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Born on August 7, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio, Carol was the daughter of Ralph Douglas Mitchell and Hazel Ann Carpenter. She was one of seven siblings and outlived her two brothers and four sisters.

Carol married William Horvath in 1958, and together they built a loving family. William preceded her in death in 2004. In 2005, Carol found love again and remarried Edward Floyd Hamilton.

A lifelong learner and dedicated caregiver, Carol earned her nursing degree and began her career at Hillcrest Medical Center. After moving to Cleveland, Oklahoma, she started a Home Health unit at Cleveland Hospital, where she worked for 11 years. Her career spanned many areas of healthcare, including hospice, home health, and rehabilitation nursing. She was a compassionate presence in the lives of countless patients and families.

Carol continued to pursue higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in administration from St. Joseph's College in Maine, followed by two master's degrees from the University of Oklahoma. She wrote government grants to fund programs that supported the elderly and chronically ill, helping them receive in-home care services such as transportation, cooking, and housekeeping. She initiated and certified over 200 nurse aides and taught CPR through the American Heart Association, operating a local training center. She also led numerous fundraisers for the "Helping Hands" program, showing her deep commitment to community support and outreach.

Carol was a woman of warmth, creativity, and generosity. She was deeply loved by her family, friends, and neighbors. Known as the "cool" house in the neighborhood, she welcomed children with open arms and loved doing arts and crafts with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Kenneth and his wife Michelle Horvath, and Rose Stallcup; her grandchildren Lynn and spouse Drew Bradshaw, Dana Stallcup, Rachel Horvath, Tyler Stallcup, and Sarah Horvath; her great-grandchildren Brice Stallcup, Nolan Stallcup, Dainen Stallcup, Will Bradshaw, Andy Bradshaw, and Quinton Stallcup.

Carol's memory will live on in the hearts of those she nurtured, taught, and loved. Her legacy is one of service, strength, and unwavering love, a life lived with purpose and compassion.