Biography:

Carol Cole Allin, age 85, passed away peacefully. Born on March 5, 1940, in Paragould, Arkansas, Carol spent her early years in Paragould, where she attended Paragould High School and began a lifelong love affair with music.

A true musical prodigy, Carol began studying piano at the Chicago Conservatory of Music at the age of five. Music remained part of the rhythm of her life for decades—shaping her work, her friendships, and the joy she brought into every room. In Paragould, she served for several years at All Saints Episcopal Church as church organist and school pianist. She later attended the University of Arkansas to pursue advanced music studies and was a member of Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) sorority.

In 1968, Carol moved from Paragould to Little Rock, where she served as Christian Education Director at Trinity Cathedral from 1968 to 1974. She continued to build a life rooted in faith, community, and creativity. In 1979, she founded Capitol Bookstore in downtown Little Rock—an endeavor she was proud of and poured herself into fully. Carol built and ran Capitol Bookstore for 12 very rewarding years, creating a place that reflected her warmth, intelligence, and love of connecting people with ideas and stories.

After her years at Capitol Bookstore, Carol became a Certified Travel Consultant at James F Goodwin Travel. She and her husband, Richard Allin III, led many adventurous trips across the globe and developed a loyal clientele who loved traveling with them. Their journeys included rail trips across Canada, Alaska cruises, an Asia cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II, a “Ritz-to-Ritz” trip in Europe, Royal Scot train excursions in Scotland, and a barge cruise in the Loire Valley. Carol’s gift for hospitality, planning, and delighting in other people’s happiness made every trip feel special and memorable.

Carol also served as office manager for the Cathedral School from 2000 to 2004 and gave her time generously to the community over many years. She served on numerous local boards, including Trinity Cathedral Day School, the Capital Club of Little Rock, the Quapaw Quarter Association Board, and the Junior League of Little Rock. Carol was also an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock.

Above all else, Carol loved her family. She often said she was “the luckiest girl in the world,” and she meant it. Richard Allin and her children, Phil and Eric, were the most important people in her life—words she expressed often and simply: “Thank God for Richard and thank God for Phil and Eric.” She also dearly loved her dogs, including Suds, Chester, and Big Dog, who brought her constant companionship and joy.

Carol touched so many people in so many ways. Always gracious and kind, funny, and quick with a smile, she made others feel welcomed and seen. She will be missed by many and remembered as an incredible, joyous person—a true gift to all who knew her.
Carol married Richard Allin III in 1986. Richard was a long-time columnist for the Arkansas Gazette and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and he preceded her in death in 2007.

Carol is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law: Richard Philip Herget III (“Phil”) and his wife, Lisa Herget, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Walter Eric Herget (“Eric”) and his wife, Lou Anne Herget, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; eight grandchildren—Evi Herget, Elise Herget, Alli Cole, Josephine Herget, Ryan Herget, Conor Herget, Cole Herget and Cameron Herget; and three great-grandchildren—Bennett Johnson, Quinn Johnson, and Ziggy Cole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Carol’s honor to a charity of your choice.

Carol will be inurned next to her beloved husband Richard at The University of the South Cemetery, Sewanee, Franklin County, Tennessee. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com