Shirley Ann Carroll

With hearts full of love and gratitude, the family of Shirley Ann Carroll announces her peaceful passing on September 14, 2025, at the age of 86, after an extended illness. Born on July 23, 1939, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Shirley was the cherished daughter of the late Emerson and Katie Lou Brown.

Shirley lived a life that radiated faith, warmth, and devotion. She proudly attended Carrollton High School and Carroll Tech. She dedicated decades of service to the Carroll County School System, first in the lunchroom and later as a school bus driver and bus attendant. To the countless children she served, she was lovingly known as "Mama Shirley." She had a gift for making every child feel safe, seen, and loved, extending the same grace and kindness she poured into raising her own family.

Shirley was a woman whose heart belonged first and foremost to the Lord. Her faith was steadfast and evident to all who knew her. She loved attending and serving at her home church, Roopville Road Baptist Church, and drew strength and joy from her relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her favorite days were spent surrounded by family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She delighted in watching them grow, cheering for them, and covering them in prayer.

When she wasn't serving others, Shirley loved painting, tending to the flowers around her pool, traveling to the beach, and doting on her beloved dog, Bella. Her home was always a place of welcome, laughter, and love, where everyone felt like family.

Shirley was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Calvin Lee Carroll; sisters, Dorothy Meeks and Peggy Droemer; and brothers, Grady Brown, Junior Brown, and Edward Brown.

She is deeply loved and will be missed by her children, Lisa Fell, Terri Armstrong and her husband, Sonny, and Mike Carroll and his fiancé, Misty Ledford; her God-daughter, Sherry Williamson and her husband, Keith; grandchildren, Joshua Fell, Ashley Fell, Michael Lane Carroll, McKenna Haile, and Reed Armstrong; great-grandchildren, Raylei Fell, Dawson Fell, Silas Tucker, River Tucker, and Kane Tucker; her sister, Barbara Boswell; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends whose lives she touched with her kindness and faith.

Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Shirley's life on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home. A second visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Roopville Road Baptist Church, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM, with Dr. Stephen Peeples and Rev. John Powers officiating. Shirley will be laid to rest in Carroll Memory Gardens.

Flowers are welcome, but those wishing to honor Shirley's memory may make contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org), two organizations she loved and supported.

Messages of love and condolences may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Carroll family during this time.