Carol Ann Meadows, nee Best, 69, of Collinsville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, July 7th, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO, surrounded by her loved ones.

Carol was born in St. Louis on September 5th, 1956, to parents Harry and Mary Gail Best. She was raised in Fairmont City before eventually moving to Collinsville, IL. She was a known hard worker that left an impression on many of her former K-Mart coworkers, where she worked as a bookkeeper for many years. Following K-Mart, she became a cage supervisor at the Casino Queen where she handled the facility's main bank. 

Carol met the love of her life, Jeff Meadows, in 1988 at the Rumble Seat Bar in Collinsville. They married the following year in 1989. They had the time of their lives frequenting their favorite haunts and being with their friends. The friends Carol made at Rumble Seat, SOS, Brenden's Pool Hall, and the Caseyville Bridge Inn were friendships that she held dear to her heart. 

She was the type of person who knew no stranger. She was always happy and smiling. Her kind heart and wicked sense of humor often made her the life of the party. If there was ever a birthday party she was a part of, you could bet she was going to smash a cake into someone's face. She loved her family, her dogs, and her friends fiercely. She even had a hand in helping raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

One of Carol's biggest passions was playing pool, as well as darts. She was quite accomplished and often traveled to play. Las Vegas was a city she visited three times to partake in the tournaments, having the time of her life and coming home with more trophies for her collection.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Harry Best and Mary Gail Best, nee Fudge; as well as her siblings, Lisa Nelson and Roger Best.

Those left to carry on her memory are her loving husband, Jeff Meadows; daughters, Jennifer Bohnenstiehl and Amanda (Bart Astrauskas) Kilzer; stepson, Jeff Meadows, Jr.; siblings, David Best, Sally Mauer, Lynne Best, Bobbie Daubman, Marcella Martinez, and Mary Durbin; seven grandchildren; five great grandkids with one more on the way; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and the countless friends she had in her life. 

There will be a small memorial visitation on Friday, July 31st, 2026, at Herr Funeral Home from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Following the visitation, friends and family are invited to stop by the Collinsville VFW for a celebration of life from 4:00 to 10:00 PM. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the family. 

The family is being served by Herr Funeral Home, 501 W. Main Street, Collinsville, IL, 62234.