Dear Sammy

Uncle Watty worked for an insurance firm in Lexington, KY for a little while in the mid-sixties.  I am attaching a letter Watty wrote to his cousin Sam J. Carroll, Jr. of Ozark, AL.  But first, here's a photo and some biographical information about Sam J. Carroll, Jr.

 

 

Watty was 32 years old at the time of this letter.  Sam was 44.

UPDATE:  This year Cousin Sammy Carroll died.

 

In Memory of Sam Jones Carroll Jr. August 13, 1921 - May 15, 2014   Obituary Sam Jones Carroll, Jr., a life-long resident of Ozark, Alabama, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 15, 2014, surrounded by his children. Funeral services will be held at eleven o' clock Saturday morning, May 17 at the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Dr. Billy Gaither, Dr. Christian Eckert and Reverend Roger Stone officiating. Burial will follow at the Westview Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home. Visitation will be held in the First United Methodist Church Family Life Center two hours prior to the service. Sam was born on August 13, 1921 in Ozark, Alabama to Maurine Peacock Carroll... Sam Jones Carroll, Jr., a life-long resident of Ozark, Alabama, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 15, 2014, surrounded by his children. Funeral services will be held at eleven o' clock Saturday morning, May 17 at the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Dr. Billy Gaither, Dr. Christian Eckert and Reverend Roger Stone officiating. Burial will follow at the Westview Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home. Visitation will be held in the First United Methodist Church Family Life Center two hours prior to the service. Sam was born on August 13, 1921 in Ozark, Alabama to Maurine Peacock Carroll and Sam Jones Carroll. He was nurtured by a family with strong commitments to South Alabama, especially Dale and Coffee counties. He was educated in Ozark schools prior to graduating from Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia. He was a student at The University of Alabama where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce and Business Administration. Following graduation from college, Sam enlisted in the United States Army serving with the Rainbow Infantry Division during World War II. He was a dedicated member of the "Greatest Generation". He then returned home where he began his career in the family business, M.O. Carroll Grocery Company. He became a respected business man who had an excellent work ethic which was evident in all his business relationships. Sam was a lifelong member of Ozark's First United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board, the Board of Trustees and various other committees and projects within the church, including chairing the 1947 building project which resulted in the education building. He and his late wife, Mary Elizabeth, dedicated their time and resources to The Settlement, the Methodist Boys Home located in south Alabama. A man with a servant's heart, he served his family, church, community, and employees with his kind, gentle, and respectful manner. He was devoted to the city of Ozark and its citizens. He served on the Ozark City Council for over 27 years, making him the longest serving council member in Ozark's history. He proudly served as president of the council for many of those years. He, also, served as Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Ozark, a member of the Ozark Board of Education, member of the Board of Trustees at Huntingdon College in Montgomery and member of The University of Alabama Culverhouse Business School's Advisory Board. He was honored with the Boy Scouts of America Golden Eagle Award. Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Trotman Carroll, his parents Maurine Peacock Carroll and Sam Jones Carroll, his sister, Florence Carroll Matthews, and his brother, Kells Chilton Carroll. He was a loving and devoted father to his sons, Sam Jones Carroll, III, John Trotman "Trot" Carroll (Pam) and daughter, Lottie Carroll Brauer (Mike) all of Ozark. He was blessed with eight dearly-loved grandchildren Sam Jones Carroll, IV (Kacy Drennen), Mountain Brook, Ronald Peacock Carroll (Anna Curington), Mount Laurel, David Neal Carroll (Anne Turner Thornell), Vestavia Hills, Rebecca Carroll Sims (Lee), Birmingham, Mary Margaret Carroll, Montgomery, Elizabeth Bearden Tuttle (Matt), Savannah, Georgia, Caroline Carroll Flowers (McDavid), Dothan, and John Trotman Carroll, Jr., Tuscaloosa. He has seven surviving great grandchildren, Bentley, Sam, Luke, Davis, Grey, Camille and Harrison. Also, surviving is daughter-in-law, Priscilla Yeakle Carroll, Birmingham, sister-in-law, Sara Newton Carroll, Ozark, brother-in-law, John M. (Bubba) Trotman, Montgomery and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Sam's caregivers who lovingly cared for him for many years…Barbara Crittenden, Geraldine Newman, Rhodie McClendon, Melody McKinnis, Mildred McLendon, Pauline Taylor, Janet Taylor, Lalia Smith and Tretha Fryer. The family would, also, like to express grateful appreciation to Dale Medical Center, Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center, and the City of Ozark Fire and Rescue for their dedication to his care. Serving as active pallbearers are Mike Barefield, former Mayor Billy Blackmon, Mayor Billy Blackwell, Dan Sowell, Sam Jones Carroll, IV, David Neal Carroll, Ronald Peacock Carroll and John Trotman Carroll, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are James C. Clouse, Joe Godwin, Willie C. Jones, Judge P.B. McLauchlin, Sheriff Wally Olson, John (Bubba) Trotman and Johnny Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Dale Medical Center, Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center, Westview Memorial Cemetery or the charity of your choice. Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home in Ozark (334) 774-4551 is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.fuquabankston.com.   The link to the online obit is here.  Includes many family photos.