Jerry M. Carroll, Sr.

Jerry Mitchell Carroll, Sr., was born on September 26, 1934, in Abbeville, SC, and went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 9, 2026, in his home, surrounded by family. Jerry was a devout Christian, and his faith was evident in the way he conducted his life. Jerry graduated from Abbeville High School at age 17. He excelled at American Legion Baseball and high school football until a football injury cut short his love of sports. Not long after graduating, he married the love of his life, Gertie, also known to the family as Maw Maw/Grandma, and the two shared 74 years of marriage before her passing earlier this year.

Jerry worked for Abbeville Mills while also holding a part-time job at the Post Office, eventually becoming a full-time Letter Carrier for the US Postal Service. He loved being outdoors, walking his 16-mile route for 33 years no matter how hot, cold or wet the day. He even designed his route so he could deliver his Mama's mail every day at lunchtime, when she would have a wonderful meal waiting for him.

Jerry taught himself woodcarving and sold his work for many years to John Cowden Wood Carvers in Gatlinburg, TN. One of his original carvings was featured in the 1972 Christmas edition of Southern Living magazine as an excellent gift idea. He later turned to carving Christmas ornaments, coming up with a new design every year and carving year-round to keep up with the many unsolicited orders he received each holiday season.

For many years, Jerry was known throughout Abbeville as an avid cyclist, logging thousands of miles a year on his bicycle. Friends who walked in the mornings looked forward to seeing him ride by, always ready to banter and trade jokes. Jerry took up cycling when he retired at age 56 and kept riding until he was 84.

He is survived by his three children, Jerry Mitchell Carroll, Jr., Jon Gregory Carroll, and Tammie Carroll Strasburger (Gus); two siblings, Freddie Leigh Taylor and Robert Carroll Walker (Yvonne); and five grandchildren, who knew him as Paw Paw and Grandpa: Sunshine Ellis (John), Amy Griffin, Sarah Spencer (Steve), Trae King, and Megan Williams (Brett).

He is also survived by 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, and Ruth Hazel Williams, and thirteen great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Hazel and Fred Carroll, and his siblings, Mary Mundy, Pat Carroll, and Mary Leila Ellis. In his final months and years, Jerry was also blessed with the loving care of Susanna Stumpf, Lisa Dawson and Santina Idahosa.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at Harris Funeral Home Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., with the service to follow in the Chapel at 3:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held immediately following in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, 2699 Hwy 72 W. Abbeville, SC 29620.

Jerry will be remembered for his faith in the Lord, his love for his family, his remarkable talents, and, of course, the many loving and funny poems he wrote for Gertie. The family likes to imagine that Gertie — who was famous for laughing so hard at her own jokes that she could never quite finish them — has spent these past months in heaven with a punchline ready, patiently waiting on Jerry so she can finally get one joke all the way out.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jerry, may be sent to the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church, 109 Barnett St. Abbeville, SC 29620.

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

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