Carol Painter

Carol Eileen Painter, 78, entered into the presence of the Lord on January 6, 2026. Carol passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family after a brief but difficult battle with glioblastoma.

Carol was born in 1947 in Lamar, CO. After a number of moves, she and her family moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1953. Carol graduated from Camelback High School in 1965 and then earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1969 and her Master of Arts in 1971 from Northern Arizona University. Carol and Tim Painter were married from 1968-1997 and raised their daughter, Lisa, together in Flagstaff, AZ.

Carol began her 30 year long career in education as a math teacher at Flagstaff Junior High School in 1970. She then started the Gifted Education program at FJHS. A few years later, Carol moved into a high school guidance counselor position and eventually developed the Flagstaff School District Peer Counseling program. She especially loved this work and after a sabbatical leave, she published two books which helped others to start and replicate peer counseling programs in their schools. These books were used by educators as far away as South Korea. In 1995, Carol moved from Flagstaff to Tucson, AZ and continued her education career as a high school guidance counselor at Canyon Del Oro High School. In 2000, Carol retired from education and in 2003 she moved to Phoenix to be closer to her daughter and family.

The most significant event in Carol's life was her acceptance of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1999. She ministered to countless individuals with the love and truth of Jesus throughout her 26 years as a follower of Christ. She was a faithful member of North Phoenix Baptist Church since 2003 and was blessed to teach and lead in various positions, including her most recent leadership of the NPBC Prayer Ministry which she loved dearly. Besides spending time with family, Carol loved gardening, cooking, decorating, reading and studying the Bible.

Carol is survived by her daughter Lisa (Mark), her grandchildren Trinity, Tommy, and Tiah, and her brother Dennis. She is preceded in death by her parents Reyburn and Margaret. While those who love her celebrate her eternal home with Jesus, Carol will be terribly missed by her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will take place on Saturday January 31, 2026 at 2:00 pm at North Phoenix Baptist Church 5757 N Central Ave Phoenix 85012 in the Upper Chapel. A reception will follow in the Lower Chapel. The family requests that donations be made in Carol's memory to Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix Rescue Mission, North Phoenix Baptist Church and Christians United for Israel.