Rev. David Woodrow Carroll, 97, of Woodland, WA passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023 at his home of progressive natural causes.

Woodrow was born February 20, 1925 in Celo, NC to the late John Carroll and Mary F. Westall Carroll.

Woodrow finished the 6th grade at Harvard School on the South Toe River in Yancey County, NC. He then joined the US Army as soon as he was old enough and served in the Philippines from 1943 to 1946 during World War II with the 41st Infantry Division. Until the day he left this world, this was an important part of his life, always replying with “Thank you, I was glad to serve, I would do it again.” Any time he was thanked for his service. After home from the Army he met the love of his life Geraldine Letterman of Celo, NC. They were married July 3, 1952 and spent nearly 70 years together. Moving to Woodland, Washington in late 1950 with family. Returning to Celo, NC around 1960. Rev. Carroll loved teaching the Bible and did so in many ways. He could be found on the town square or holding a revival at any door open to him. He was an adult Sunday School teacher and assisted the pastor at Esatoe Church of God; and after moving and settling in Valdese, teaching adult Sunday School class in the Connelly Springs Freewill Baptist Church and later became pastor of Full Gospel Christian Church in Celo; until he was near 90 years old. Woodrow worked as what was known as a Powder Monkey, loading and blasting rock in mines and logging roads. He was very good at carpentry work and building and selling homes throughout his life to support his family. He could be found on the bank of the river most anytime as he had a strong passion for fishing and had fulfilled that from one coast to the other. Squirrel hunting with his dog and trampling over the mountains looking for Ginseng fell among other favorites. He was a well-known beekeeper supplying honey for many in the area. He was a huge rockhound finding, cutting, faceting, and setting stones; filling any empty hours he might have. Many family members have special pieces he made just for them.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Carroll; sisters, Bessis and Ruth; brothers, Wallace, Marshall, Shelby, Sam, Edison, and Jack; and grandsons, Tyrell and Henery.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Carroll of Woodland, WA; sons, David Carroll and wife Mary of Lacenter, WA, and Kenneth Carroll of Connelly Springs, NC; six grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and six great great-grandchildren all of Washington. Also surviving are his sisters, Ruby of Valdese, NC, and Flossy of Elizabethton, TN; brothers, Fred Carroll and wife Melba of Morganton, NC, and Burdette Carroll and wife Peggy of Marion, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Connelly Springs Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Ray Carroll and Rev. Douglas Carroll officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be David Carroll, Kenneth Carroll, Heath Biddix, Colby Biddix, and Luin Biddix.

A reception will follow at the home of Sandra and Tim Britton.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Friday at the church.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese, NC is assisting the family.