Carroll Carr

JONESBORO - Carroll Calvert Carr, age 95, of Jonesboro, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 at the Phil & Flo Jones Hospice House with his family at the bedside.

He was born on Feb. 24, 1930, in the Fifty-Six community, to the late Harry and Doris Calvert Carr. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Lois; son Terrell (Mary) Carr of Jonesboro; daughter Dena (Dwight) Duckworth of Springdale; sister Selma (Wayne) Tate of Jonesboro; grandsons, David (Paxton) Carr and Michael Carr; and great-grandsons, Wilder, Kye Bennett and Callahan; nieces Deonne (Wayne) Fortson and Darah (David) Watson; and nephews Darwin (Myrna) Raymond and Aaron (Nikki) Tate.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Katherine "Kay" Raymond.

Carroll graduated from Bono High School at the age of sixteen. He later joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was an engine mechanic and then instructor for the B-52 bomber engine. His test scores were among the highest reported, such that he was called before a panel of officers to provide oral testing, which he again passed with perfect scores. While away from home, serving in the Air Force, his family farm crops were due for harvesting and his father fell ill. He secretly drove home through the night on the weekends to work the crops and secretly came back to base. It was discovered, but he had found great favor with his superior officers.

In 1969 he farmed soybeans. There was a storm that destroyed his crops. He and Lois got down on their knees and prayed for an answer. Within a few days, he received a call from an old Air Force buddy, asking him to move to Texas to teach automotive mechanics. He taught automotive mechanics at Texas State Technical Institute (currently Texas State Technical College) in Waco, Texas, for several years, before returning home to his farm and auto mechanics business. In 1974 he was hired by Central Texas College as they began their degree program on the U.S. Army post in Baumholder, Germany. During that time, Carroll taught automotive mechanics to personnel for the U.S. Army. While in Germany, he and his family traveled Europe, an unexpected life adventure. He enjoyed owning and flying his Cessna 150. He loved to water ski, even at the age of 80. He was a master of many skills.

Carroll was probably most known for his kindness, humility, honesty, faithfulness, intellect, and unmatched work ethic. His sense of humor was genius, yet gentle. He served as a deacon at Central Baptist Church and over sixty years as a member of Gideons International. He found great fulfillment in mission trips to Guatemala and the Ivory Coast. He always carried a small New Testament and was prepared to share the good news of the gospel.

His family finds comfort as he told them that he had no regrets. He had lived a very full life, more than he had expected. He married the woman he loved and he was proud of his family.

All who knew him were proud to call him husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, father-in-law, work colleague, friend.

Services will be held at Emerson Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. with the funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Trinity Cemetery in Bono.

The family would like to thank Sheryl Ezell and the VA Health Care System, the staff of NEA Baptist, Encompass Health and Home Instead and the staff and benefactors of St. Bernards, Day Place and The Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons International.