Gertrude 'Gertie' Yates Carroll

Gertrude Yates Carroll, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, was born on March 14, 1934, in Cramerton, North Carolina, and went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 11, 2026, surrounded by family in her home.

Lovingly known as ‘Gertie’, her early years were spent in Abbeville, South Carolina, where her family moved when she was a young child. She graduated from Abbeville High School and at the age of 17, she married the love of her life, Jerry Carroll. Together, they shared 74 years of devoted marriage, their bond growing stronger with each passing year.

A talented seamstress, Gertie lovingly crafted clothes for her children in their early years before discovering her passion for quilting. She cherished the time spent quilting with close friends and was especially dedicated to making quilts for her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Even when she could no longer operate her sewing machine, Gertie’s determination never wavered; with the help of her dear friend Anne Horton, she continued to create beautiful quilts for her family.

Gertie embraced life with an adventurous spirit. At age 68, she, Jerry and her sister-in-law Mary Leila rode their bikes across South Carolina with a group of cyclists. At age 79, she zip-lined over a mile-high gorge in Colorado with her good friend Annette Brown, exemplifying her zest for life. Her professional career was spent at Flexible Technologies, where her expertise, dedication and accuracy were so valued that she was called back to work multiple times after retirement.

Throughout her years, Gertie maintained many lifelong friendships, always nurturing those connections with love and care. She also held several leadership roles in the Women’s Aglow International Organization and traveled across the country for many years participating in their national and international meetings.

Gertie and Jerry raised their children in faith, remaining devoted members of Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church for 55 years. Gertie’s deep love for the Lord was evident in her daily life; she kept a list of her family’s names taped to her mirror and prayed for each one every day.

Gertie was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Miller, her father, Cole Yates, her brother, Jerry Yates, her half-sisters, Charlene Boone and Dorothy Feld, and half-brothers, Bobby Miller, Bruce Yates and Barry Yates.

Gertie is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Carroll, Sr.; her children, Jerry Mitchell Carroll, Jr., Greg Carroll, and Tammie Strasburger (Gus); five half brothers and sisters, Evelyn Enlow, Jim Yates (Faye), Peggy Davis (Milton), Ronnie Yates (Hazel), Donnie Yates (Barbara); her five grandchildren, Sunshine Ellis (John), Amy Griffin, Sarah Spencer (Steve), Trae King and Megan Williams (Brett); her twelve great-grandchildren, Johnathan Ellis (Amelia), Anna Grace Griffin (Austin), Stephanie Griffin, Caleb Griffin, Kaytelynne Griffin, Ricki Carroll, Dylan Carroll (Tyranni), Ethan Sullivan, Emma Sullivan, Max Williams, Charli Williams, Ruth Williams; and twelve great-great-grandchildren.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to Lisa Dawson, Susanna Stumpf and Jackie Bosse for the loving care given to Gertie and Jerry over the past months.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at Harris Funeral Home, Monday, January 19, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., with the service to follow in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held immediately following the service at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, 2699 Hwy. 72 W., Abbeville, SC 29620.

Gertie Carroll will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her loving devotion to family and friends, her remarkable talents and her adventurous spirit. Her legacy of laughing, love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Carroll family.