Mr. Benjamin (Ben) Otis Carroll

Benjamin (Ben) Otis Carroll, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, was born September 28, 1928 in Spearsville, Louisiana to the late Charles and Julia Carroll of Spearsville, La. Mr. Carroll entered his heavenly home peacefully with his family by his side on August 5, 2018. He grew up in Spearsville, and when he was fourteen he left home to attend Berry High School and College in Rome, Georgia. After completing his freshman year at Berry, he returned to Louisiana to attend Louisiana Tech where he was an outstanding catcher and recognized as the All Gulf States Catcher for the Gulf State Conference in 1950. During his years playing semi-pro baseball with the Bernice Lions as an all-star catcher, he travelled throughout Louisiana and met his wife, Carolyn Hawkins, of Columbia, La. Mr. Carroll had a diverse career. He started teaching history and coaching high school sports in Bernice, La. In 1956, he entered the corporate world with Pillsbury in Sales Management. While at Pillsbury he awarded several Pillsbury Bake-Off Winners during the 1960’s. Mr. Carroll then transitioned to M&M Mars in Chicago, IL. His career brought him to the Albany, GA area in 1974 as the Director of Personnel at the M&M Mars plant. During this period, Mr. Carroll was very active in the business community bringing business leaders together to support Albany State College. He was honored by the National Alliance of Business (NAB) for his leadership commitment to the college. He was involved in Albany community by serving on the board for the American Red Cross, as Chairperson for the United Way Annual Campaign, and with FEMA during the Albany flood of 1994. Mr Carroll and his wife relocated to the Atlanta area in 2007 due to health issues. Faith was an important part of Mr. Carroll’s life. He was involved in the churches where ever they lived, serving as a lay pastor, Sunday School teacher and sang in the choir. In Albany, he taught Sunday School and was a past Chairman of Deacons at First Baptist Church of Albany. An active member of the choir, he was known for his deep rich baritone voice and often sang solos. His love of family was paramount and his favorite times were spent enjoying all the family together. His life lessons learned as a ball player were passed down to his children and grandchildren. He would spend hours coaching them in various sports and then later listen to their accomplishments. He loved to play card games and dominos with family around the kitchen table. He was an avid golfer and could be found on the greens almost every Saturday and several times a week after he retired. He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Hawkins Carroll, who passed away on May 9, 2018. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Peter J. Carroll of El Dorado, AR, his daughter Julia (Don) Rice, of Douglasville, GA; son, Ben M (Linda) Carroll of Kennesaw, Ga., son Tim (Clinton) Carroll of Valdosta, Ga, and son Matt Carroll of Albany, Ga. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and spouses, and fifteen great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Kimbrell-Stern, Albany, Ga. on Friday, August 10, 2018. The viewing will be at 10am with services at 11am. Interment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Global Mission Fund at First Baptist Church of Albany.

Mr. Benjamin (Ben) Otis Carroll

September 28, 1928 - August 5, 2018