Carole Susan McGinnis Gilliland of Sand Springs passed away, at home, in the early morning hours of Saturday January 28, 2023.

Carole was born on November 12, 1949, in McAlester, Oklahoma to Raymond Carl and Dorothy Sue (Dodd) McGinnis.  The family moved to Tulsa in the early 1950s. Carole graduated from Charles Page High School in 1968.  It was in her senior year that she met Paul. They married on August 4, 1973, in Tulsa.  After high school, she attended The University of Tulsa, where she majored in communications and reported for TU's radio station, KWGS. In the early 1970s, she began a career in banking at Boulder Bank and ended that career at Mid America Savings & Loan after the birth of their daughter, Britton.

Carole was brilliant and a gifted artist. She worked at Priscilla's Little Red Tole House prior to beginning her own thriving business, Heart 'n Tole, where she painted, sold her works, and taught classes in tole painting.  Together, she and Paul started a patient portal business, MedCom, where patients could obtain medical test results from physicians.  Volunteering was always important to Carole as she believed that there was always a way to help in the community.  Being a voracious reader, she was passionate about reading. To make written works accessible, she began recording for the Blind for the Tulsa World and recorded books for the Library of Congress.  Carole's love of books led her to volunteer at the Pratt Library through the Tulsa City County Library system. She created beautiful and interesting displays as well as assisting patrons in learning to use computers or suggesting books of interest, and so much more. She was hired and worked part-time at the Pratt Library for over 25 years.

Carole was also a member of the Quota Club for many years and served as its president.  Carole loved a hobby. She taught herself intricate beadwork and crafted beautiful jewelry and beaded objects that are unbelievably complex and unique. Carole also crocheted scarves and hats for those in need. It was important to her to give back in any way that she could. Carole could speak intelligently on topics ranging from politics to fashion to music and more. Her strong will and determination were unparalleled. Beyond all of that, her family was the most important part of her life. She loved all of us fiercely.

Survivors include her devoted and loving husband, Paul; her precious and treasured daughter, Britton Foster, and her husband John; her loving sister, Lori McGinnis Madland, and her husband Todd; her treasured and adored grandchildren, Lauren and Rhys Foster, her dear nephew, Sean McGinnis, and his wife Karyn, and a plethora of extended family.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Olivet Baptist Church at 11 a.m.

Services for Carole have been entrusted with Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service.