Carol McEntire, lovingly known as Honey Carol, Mom, and Grandma, was born on Sunday, June 15, 1947, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. She went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, surrounded by the people she loved most.

Carol was born to Robert and Opal Epperly and moved to Southern California at a young age, where she would spend the majority of her life. She graduated from Yucaipa High School in 1965 and West Suburban Hospital School of Nursing in 1968.
In September 1974, Carol married the love of her life, Ken. Together, they welcomed their daughters, Candace in 1975 and Kristal in 1980, beginning the family that would become the center of Carol’s world.
Carol was a remarkable registered nurse who believed nursing was a calling. Throughout her career, she served as a floor nurse, house supervisor, case manager, director of education, and director of nursing. She found purpose in every role and left each one better than she found it. She also mentored and encouraged countless people, helping many succeed in the nursing profession.

Nursing was her calling, but loving and caring for her family was her purpose.

Carol loved all things family and delighted in creating celebrations and bringing people together. Whether it was charades at Great-Grandma’s birthday party, amazing Christmas celebrations, or a Fourth of July Iron Chef battle, Carol knew how to create moments that brought people joy. She believed in making memories, filling a room with laughter, and giving people reasons to gather.

Carol was the queen of hospitality. She was the hands and feet of Jesus in the way she welcomed people into her home and made them feel loved. The table at the McEntires’ was always a place of laughter, connection, and joy. There was always room for one more, and everyone who gathered there was made to feel like family. In 2007, Carol earned what may have been her favorite title of all: Grandma. Five more grandchildren followed from 2008-2014. Her grandchildren were the loves of her life. If one of them wanted something, that was often all that needed to be said. Grandma would find a way to make it happen. Loving them, cheering them on, and making each of them feel special brought her immeasurable joy. Carol also had a passion for politics and could discuss and debate with the best of them. She loved a good conversation and was never afraid to share her thoughts.

In 2021, Carol and Ken moved from Yucaipa, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, beginning a new chapter of life together.

Carol’s greatest love was Jesus, and her faith was the foundation of her life. Throughout the years, she was actively involved in the churches she called home, including First Baptist Church of Yucaipa, where she worshiped for much of her life, Wildwood Calvary Chapel, and later Calvary Chapel Sioux Falls after moving to South Dakota with Ken in 2021. Her faith was more than something she believed; it was something she lived out through serving others, supporting missions, and investing in the work of the Lord. Carol was happiest when she saw the hand of God at work. She was the hands and feet of Jesus in the way she welcomed people into her home, cared for others, and loved her family. Her faith was woven into every part of her life, and the love she shared with others will continue to be part of her legacy.

Carol is survived by her beloved husband, Ken McEntire; her daughters, Candace Goding (JD) and Kristal Shoffeitt (Tim); her six grandchildren, Jack, Chloe, George, Lucy, Sam, and Thomas; her sisters, Cheryl (Wendell) and Mary; and eight nieces and nephews, along with their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Opal Epperly, and her brother-in-law, Keith.
A funeral service celebrating Carol’s life will be held Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Sioux Falls.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Carol’s memory to the Alpha Center in Sioux Falls.
Her calling was nursing. Her purpose was family. Her greatest love was Jesus. And her legacy will live on in all the lives she touched.