CM/Sgt (Retired) Kenneth A. Carroll, age 78, of Plantersville, died July 6, 2010, at home following a lengthy illness. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 10, 2010, at Plantersville Christian Church with the Rev. Mike Wyatt officiating. Burial will follow in Plantersville Christian Cemetery with Lawrence Brown Service Funeral Home directing.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Robert (Robbie) Carroll; and parents, Thomas Orand and Pauline Lawrence Carroll. He is survived by his wife, Frances Williams Carroll; daughters Rebecca Carroll Foley (Lee) of Tuscaloosa, and Rachel Carroll Jones (Johnny) of Plantersville; brothers William Carroll (Dorothy) of Mountain Brook, and Lawrence Noodie Carroll (Nell) of Plantersville; grandchildren Jason Jones (Janece) of Tuscaloosa, Jennifer Trotter (Josh) of Plantersville, Katie Meggs (Chris) of Tuscaloosa, Jessica Payne (Clayt) of Plantersville, and Stephanie Foley of Tuscaloosa; great-grandchildren Chaz Jones of Selma, Kendall Greene of Plantersville, Chassidy, Jordan, Cadence and Ensign Payne of Plantersville; Robbie, Codie and Emma Meggs of Tuscaloosa and Chloe Jones of Tuscaloosa.
Kenneth entered the United States Air Force in April 1951 and retired in March 1972, serving with pride, with tours of duty in Korea during the Korean conflict and in Vietnam. He was awarded numerous commendations during his 22 years of service, including the Meritorious Service Award and the Bronze Star. After his retirement from the USAF, Kenneth moved back to his hometown of Plantersville and began attending classes at George Wallace Community College in Selma. During this time, an opportunity became available for head of maintenance at the college, where he served for 20 years, retiring in April 1992. The baseball field at the college is named in his honor. After his retirement from GWCC, Kenneth went to work for Wright’s Nursery driving a delivery truck for 14 years. Kenneth loved his family, his community and his country. He was thought by many to be the unofficial “mayor” of Plantersville. He served his church as deacon for many years and was an example of his Christian faith to many. He was well loved and respected by everyone he met, and he never met a stranger.
Pallbearers will be Larry Carroll, Chris Carroll, Earl Griffin, David Wright, Ed Smith, Thomas Parker and Steve Simpson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Wiley Newton, Coleman Smith, Walter “Bug” Aaron, Bennie Simmons, Mac Martin, Bill Martin, Stan Franklin, John Pomeroy, Bobby O’Neal and Nelson Andrews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cahaba Hospice or Plantersville Christian Cemetery.
Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.