Robert Allen Carroll

Robert Allen Carroll, Sr., (97), passed away on September 30th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. 

Allen was born on October 9, 1926, in Ruffin, NC, to the late Charlie Swanson and Carrie Martin Carroll. He was the last remaining of his immediate family of five brothers and two sisters. Allen attended Ruffin High School. In 1944 at the age of eighteen, he was employed by American Tobacco Company, and remained there for forty-one years, until his retirement in 1985, working as a machine operator and mechanic. In 1945 he married Gracie Virginia Johnson, and they celebrated their 79th anniversary on April 1, 2024. He served in the North Carolina National Guard.

He is survived by his wife of 79 years, Gracie Virginia Johnson Carroll, daughter Doris Renee Manley, son Robert Allen Carroll II (Laurie), son Edward Hunter Carroll (Lynn), eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many dear nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by one granddaughter.

He was a long-time member of Dan River Primitive Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon from 1991 until his death. He dearly loved his church family.

He enjoyed fishing, traveling, and gardening, tending one into his early 90’s. He and Virginia visited each of the fifty United States and also went to Europe on a twenty-one day guided tour.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at Wilkerson Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6th, 2024, at Dan River Primitive Baptist Church, 8684 Highway 700, Ruffin, NC 27236, with burial immediately following in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dan River Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Mary L. Hawkins, 140 Carolina Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320.