Julie Lynn Smith Carroll

Julie Lynn Smith Carroll passed away on Nov. 15, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her husband Stephen David Carroll, her children, Captain Spencer McClain Carroll U.S. Army (Ret), Alexandra Rebecca Carroll, and Catherine Michal Carroll, her parents Terry W. and Rebecca Smith, her brothers Terry Bryant Smith (Betsy), Todd McMahan Smith (Claire), Christopher McClain Smith (Elle), her sister-in-law Shelley Carroll Hereford (John), her brother-in-law Matthew Franklin Carroll (Lisa) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Julie was born and raised in Rochester, Indiana. An accomplished scholar-athlete, Julie excelled in multiple sports including golf, tennis and cheerleading while growing up, but her real passion was art. After graduating from high school, Julie followed her two older brothers to Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama where she began a life-long journey of artistic learning and creativity. After focusing on Art and Fashion Design at Auburn, Julie earned her Masters Degree in Art Education from the University of Montevallo and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. Along the way, Julie discovered that she had the unique ability to draw out the innate creativity that exists within all of us. Thus she began her career as a life-long educator by first teaching art at Rochester High School in Rochester, Indiana and later at Calera High School (Calera, AL); Hoover High School (Hoover, AL); Spain Park High School (Hoover, Alabama) before finally retiring from Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills, AL).

Although professionally gifted, Julie's greatest accomplishments were both as a wife and mother. She was immensely proud to be married to her husband of 33 years and jointly raise three wonderful children. Her greatest joy was in preparing a feast each night, and gathering around to share stories of the day. Love and laughter were the main courses she served and all family and friends that left Julie's table knew that she cared for them deeply.

The family will receive friends on Monday Nov. 21, 2022 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church 2061 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia Hills, AL starting at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 12:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Julie Smith Carroll Memorial Art Scholarship, care of Vestavia Hills High School 2235 Lime Rock Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216