Thelma Gail (Lindsey) Carroll, 79, of Fort Smith, died on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith from complications after surgery. Known as "TG", she was surrounded by family who loved her when she passed from this life into eternity.
TG was born in Pine Bluff on July 3, 1939. She spent her formative years there with her two sisters and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1957. In the years that followed, she married Paul McCormack, graduated from Capitol City Business College in Little Rock, and started her family of four children. TG went on to graduate from the Arkansas Bankers Association (ABA) Trust School in Conway, the ABA Intermediate Banking School in Little Rock, the ABA Lending School at ASU in Jonesboro and enjoyed a career in banking that spanned decades.
In 1971, the family moved to Mountain Home and immediately became a part of the community. While employed at Peoples Bank & Trust, she received statewide and national recognition for her work. In 1981, she moved to Fort Smith where she joined the team and Merchants Bank which became Regions. In 1989, she was married to Garry Carroll. They lived and worked in Ft. Smith, and enjoyed many weekends with friends and family at "the lake house" in Bella Vista where they moved after she retired from banking. In 2015, TG and Garry moved back to Ft. Smith as health issues were slowing them down.
TG was extremely active everywhere she lived. She served on numerous Boards including Chambers of Commerce, public school Boards, Young Bankers of Arkansas, Arkansas Bankers Association, and National Association of Bank Women. As a natural leader, she was chosen to Chair many fund raising drives and tirelessly gave her time and energy to organizations such as United Way, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, and Easter Seals. In 1980, she was named Arkansas Business Person of the Year by the state Future Business Leaders of America.
As a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church, she modeled the value of serving the Lord by serving others — advising youth groups, delivering Meals on Wheels, working in the food pantry, or quitely helping out friends and neighbors in ways we will never know. She was twice recognized for Outstanding Service by the Arkansas Community Development Program.
TG had a zeal for life that spilled over into everyone in her presence. More than anything in this world she loved her family. She was the anchor, the confidant, the motivator, and she profoundly influenced each of us. TG loved her family completely and unconditionally. She made every sacrifice necessary to make sure each and every need was met - and she did so with joy.
She is survived by her husband of 29 years, John Garry Carroll of the home; 2 sisters: Jane McCarty of Scottsdale, AZ and Jennie Springer of Atlanta, GA; her four children: Paul (Sandy) McCormack (son) and Gretchen McCormack of Waco, Texas; Lindsey Fisher (daughter) of Bentonville; William McCormack (son) and Christie McCormack of Fort Smith; and John McCormack (son) and Deana McCormack of Little Rock. She enjoyed the blessings of 12 grandchildren: Nick Smith, Wesley McCormack, Joseph Fisher, Brandal McCormack, Clark McCormack, Erin Stevens, Arden Roeder, Chase Garner, Samantha Carroll, Eden McCormack, Evan McCormack, and Haven McCormack; and 3 great-grandchildren: Braden Jones, Barrett Smith and Macie Stevens. TG is preceded in death by her mother, Clara Lillian Lindsey Towne and her father, William Ezra Lindsey.
Memorial services are scheduled for Monday, December 3rd at 1pm in Roebuck Chapel at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith. Arrangements are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home. The family asked that memorials be made to Arkansas Easter Seals, or the the FUMC - Ft. Smith Memorial Fund.
