Joel Andrew Carroll

Joel Andrew “Andy” Carroll, born March 11, 1969, passed away Tuesday morning, September 22, 2026. Left to mourn his passing are his mother Jo Ellen Swaim Carroll of Florence, his sister Deborah Carroll Anderson (David) of Florence, his brother Nathan Patrick Carroll (Robin) of Columbia, nephew Joshua Bryan Anderson of Florence, dearest friend Archie Courtney of Columbia, and his beloved cat Taz. Andy was predeceased by his partner Garry Baum; his best bud dogs Pete, Chelsea, and Spence; his cherished cats Smoke and Louis; and his father Timothy Charles Carroll.

Andy was a fearless, impulsive, rambunctious boy with strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes, an untameable cowlick, and perpetually skinned knees. He was a naturally gifted athlete who was completely uninterested in sports. He could run like a deer and springboard dive with effortless grace and control. He was also a talented swimmer. His ability to climb trees was legendary.

Growing up, the three of us played in the woods and creeks and rode our bikes everywhere. We had hours of chores to do daily, but Andy never complained. He dug in and got the work done. He and our youngest brother Nathan were separated in age by only 13 months and as toddlers they developed their own language. To the outside world their communication sounded like gibberish, but they laughed and played and argued in that language. I, the “big” sister, served as interpreter for our parents.

Andy was not afraid of hard work and was industrious his entire life. He often worked two, and sometimes three, jobs simultaneously. He served in the National Guard. He worked as an EMT and paramedic and ultimately became a registered nurse. Throughout his life, Andy played as hard as he worked. He frequented Key West which he described as his “favorite place on earth.” He loved camping trips to Pisgah National Forest with Archie, his best friend, truest confidant, and unwavering ally of 33 years.

A family-favorite story about Andy that really sums up who Andy was is the time we were at an extended family beach trip. Our grandmother came scurrying into the house excitedly telling everyone to come outside quickly because Andy was going to fly. Andy had taken a large blanket and secured the corners to each wrist and ankle. He proceeded to get up onto the top rail of a walkway that spanned the sand dunes. He stood tall. We held our collective breath. He launched. The drop was probably 15 feet and the “flight” went as expected. Everyone got a great laugh, Andy included. Nonetheless, he insisted that for a moment, he truly did catch wind and fly.

Andy lived his life with abandon and had little regard for the advice of family and friends who so often and diligently tried to help steer him onto a less chaotic course in life. As Archie aptly stated, “Andy would jump without ever looking at the other side first.” Andy struggled with an alcohol addiction for most of his adult life and it sadly overshadowed and ultimately overtook the fun-loving, compassionate man that he truly was. I knew when Andy called me on July 25 saying he had severe cardiac issues that the consequences of his addiction had finally caught up to him physically. In typical Andy fashion, he fought valiantly and defiantly and obstinately did it all his own way to the end.

I know Andy burned a lot of bridges through his addiction, but I hope that those who knew him will now have a more complete picture of who Andy really was. The energetic boy. The hard worker. The fun-lover. The handsome tuxedoed teen who was crowned Prom King. The sun-kissed lifeguard. This is the final gift I can give to my little brother--to have him seen through the eyes of his big sister whom he said “was like my second mama.”

We hope you are flying now, Andy.

Memorials can be made to PETS Inc., 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170.