John Charles Carraway

1949 - 2024

John Charles Carraway died on December 6, 2024 at the age of 75 after a brief illness. John was a gifted architect and artist, but will be best remembered for his love and devotion to his family and his deep Christian faith. John was a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent where he felt very much at home. He was many times a vestryman and chaired several architectural projects at the church. He felt his strongest connection to God with the Intercessory Prayer Ministry at Advent House. Praying at Advent House from its beginning in 1999, John was steadily involved with this profound ministry until the time of his death.

John was born on January 11, 1949 to Dr. and Mrs. Charles Ashley Carraway and into a long line of physicians. He took pride in his lineage to Carraway Hospital, but knew early on that his artistic capacity would put him on a more visual path. Before heading to the University of Tennessee to study architecture, John graduated from Shades Valley High School where he developed many life-long friendships. He stayed close to these friends throughout his life through monthly "Mountie Men" and Chi Sig lunches. At Tennessee, John studied abroad as often as he could and his internal compass repeatedly steered him to his favorite city, Rome. He was able to retrace his steps throughout Rome and parts of Italy on a recent trip with his wife, Liz and their daughter, Frances which brought him great joy.

Upon graduation, John began his career as an editor at SOUTHERN LIVING magazine before founding his own architectural firm, Carraway & Associates, where he practiced for over 45 years. Specializing in custom residential, John also took on the challenge of many complex and historical projects including the columbarium and garden design for The Cathedral Church of the Advent, the columbarium and organ addition at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, and the restoration of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church here in Birmingham as well as St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston where he headed the master planning and design for a new cathedral. Earlier in his career, John designed the original building for the Botanical Gardens including the entrance and bridge which to this day reveals his talent for understanding the relationship of building to site. In his residential work, John was most known for his classic, seamless, and subtle design where he humbly diverted the design from himself and sought to reflect the tastes and needs of his clients.

Beyond his career, John had many passions. An avid cyclist, John was passionate about riding and racing with his buddies throughout the Southeast. He loved the competition of racing but most fondly reflected on riding side- by- side at a steady pace and talking with friends. Also a strong hiker and outdoorsman, John challenged himself with climbs and often treacherous trails, including the Wind River Range and the peak of Kilimanjaro. His love of travel and adventure lead him on a trip in 1999 to Amistad Mission in Cochabamba, Bolivia where he and Liz first met. They would return many times to share this beautiful ministry with friends.

John's love of architecture and art was infectious and one of his greatest pleasures later in life was traveling with his family throughout the US and Europe. John was also a beautiful and meticulous painter, working in oil, he averaged about one painting a year and was also a brilliant bridge player although he never learned to breast his cards.

John is survived by his wife, Liz; their daughter, Frances; his children, Elizabeth and Charles (Jennifer), and his granddaughter, Mali. He also leaves behind his dear nephews and nieces, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues who will remember him for his kindness, intellect, wit, and the joy he brought to their lives.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent on Wednesday, December 11th at 10:30 with visitation at 9:30. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cathedral Church of the Advent or to Amistad Mission serving in Cochabamba, Bolivia.