Madeline Carroll

Madeline Williams Carroll was born on May 7, 1945, and transitioned peacefully in her sleep on November 21, 2024.

Madeline Carroll was the first-born child of the late Marian Williams and Woodrow Williams. While Madeline was born in Harlem, New York, on May 7, 1945, at 6 mos. old, she was unexpectedly dropped off in Miami, Florida, to be raised by her grandmother, Hester Williams, and cousins, in a loving household surrounded by a strong village. Madeline's house was filled with prayer and daily church visits, introducing her spiritual walk and moral stability at a young age.

Madeline was educated in the Miami-Dade Public School system and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1963. Madeline was described as a natural scholar with a bright personality and was well-respected by her peers. Simply put, she was the embodiment of grace and class.

In 1966, Madeline moved to Columbus, Ohio, as a homemaker with her infant son. Eventually, she worked for Ohio Bell as an operator for 30 years as the sole provider for her two sons. She retired from Ohio Bell in 1995 and continued her career as a claims adjuster at Merck Insurance for 15 years.

While on a shopping trip, Madeline and Bobby Carroll, her future husband met in Lazarus. Friday, February 13, 1979, Madeline and Bobby wed. She strategically and selectively chose a scary date in an effort to get all of their challenges out of the way in the event they had a bad start. Consequently, she and Bobby were happily married for 45 years. She admired Bobby's consistency, commitment, and care for her needs.

Madeline had a natural green thumb when it came to gardening. She always had the most beautiful flowers blooming in her yard every spring. Madeline had a natural knack for crocheting, needlepoint, and pottery. Madeline was a great cook and baker. She taught every grandchild how to bake, and her family still cherishes her handwritten recipes and cookbooks. Her grandchildren would argue over who gets to lick the bowl, spoon, or take home the last of the pound, and cheesecake.

She loved her family fiercely and spoke kindly of everyone. However, when asked, Madeline was a no-nonsense truth teller, full of practical wisdom. She had a way to counsel anyone out of a sad place or hard time, and was a stellar example of character, integrity, and perseverance. She always had a way of helping anyone feel like everything was okay.

Her legacy includes her incredible strength and strong commitment to family, and it will continue to inspire her offspring for generations to come. Simply put, Madeline was the best role model, mentor, supporter, teacher, daughter, sister, mother, wife, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Madeline is preceded in death by her parents, Marian Williams and Woodrow Williams, Sr., son Robert A. Jones, sisters Evelyn Williams Conley, Deborah Cox, Arlene Davis, Pamela Morman and brothers Allen Williams, Anthony Williams, Sr., Darryl Williams, Douglass Williams, and Woodrow Williams, Jr., niece Angela Conley, cousins Arlene Graham, Bonnie Williams, Bruce Williams and niece Angela Conley.

She leaves to cherish her memory of her husband and life partner of 44 years, Bobby Lee Carroll, sons (Leslie) Calvin Brown and Patrick Wade Brown, sisters Dawn Bennett, Marla Williams, Leah Williams, and brother Brian Williams, cousins, Diane Marie Polk, Tangela Williams Daniel (Joe), grandchildren: Michaan Cross (Mario), Keanna Skeaton, Diamond Fleming (Brandon), Miasha Brown, Cleapatra Brown, and Deja White, great grandchildren, Nigel Donaldson, Mason Fleming, Valentino Wilson, Myles Leslie Cross, and Brielle Wilson. Nieces, Monique Kennibrew, Tiesha Williams, Octavia Williams, Tiffany Williams, Shatema Cox, Andrea Byrd, Dawn Williams, Ashley Morman, Tiana Morman, nephews, Lawrence Kennibrew, Terrance Williams, Donnell Williams, Desmont Williams, Braheem Cotton, Jamal Morman, Yusuf Cross, Maurice Davis, Ali Williams, Omar Williams, Chineil Williams, Qwali Williams, Isiah Bennett, Ian Bennett, Cory Williams and Keenan Williams and a host of great and great great nieces and nephews.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit her Tribute Page.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 16th, 2024 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm with a Memorial Service immediately following at Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Service, 1370 East Main Street Columbus, Ohio 43205.