CARROLL, Houston Christopher – (d. 2009)

HENDERSON, TN – Houston Christopher Carroll, age 81, retired manager of Chester Farmer’s Co-Op, died Wednesday night, November 11, 2009 at his home in Henderson. Mr. Carroll was born and reared in the New Friendship Community of Chester County, the son of the late Christopher Beechem and Amba Gertrude Peddy Carroll. He graduated from Chester County High School in 1946, entered the U. S. Army in 1950 and served in Korea. He married Otha Horton of Savannah in 1950 and they made their home in Henderson all their married life. He began his career at the Chester Farmer’s Co-Op in 1947. After returning from the service he was appointed manager of the Co-Op, a position he held for 40 years, retiring in 1992. He is a former president of the Henderson Business Association, the predecessor of the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the initial board of the Chamber and in 2003 was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizenship Award. He has also been a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Chester County Senior Citizens. He served eight years on the Chester County Board of Education, where he had served as vice-chairman. Mr. Carroll’s volunteer work includes having served as president of the Chester County Quarterback Club, president of the Band Boosters, and long time supporter of the Little League and the Dixie Youth baseball programs. He had also been a dependable driver for the Meals on Wheels program. Mr. Carroll had been a member of the Chester County Lions Club for 46 years, serving as King Lion three times. He was a Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient, and the only local Lion member to have two sons to also serve as King Lion. He had served as chairman on the mobile eye clinic for many years, and had served several years as chairman of the Lions Club annual Horse Show, having never missed a horse show since its inception. He was a faithful Christian man, a member of the Clark’s Creek Primitive Baptist Church since 1961, and had served as a deacon since 1967. He currently served as clerk of the church.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Otha “Faye” Horton Carroll of Henderson, three sons: Garry Lynn Carroll and wife Melinda of Henderson, Terry Carroll and wife Debbie of Milan and Ricky Carroll and wife Lisa of Henderson; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Lurlene C. Hysmith and husband Bobby of Henderson, and a sister-in-law Kathryn Young Carroll of Henderson. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lois W. Carroll in 1992. Funeral services at the Clark’s Creek Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Cecil Woodruff and County Mayor Troy Kilzer officiating. Burial followed in the Clark’s Creek Cemetery. Elder David Pharr and Elder Claude McKee will also take part in the service.

Submitted by Glen Peddy