Marguerite Banks Carroll

November 5, 1923-January 10, 2015

Columbus, Georgia- Marguerite Banks Carroll, age 91, of Columbus died Saturday January 10, 2015 at her residence surrounded by her loving family and caretakers. A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, January 13th at Edgewood Baptist Church with Reverend David Howle and Reverend Andy Merritt officiating. Author and Precept Ministries International Co-founder Kay Arthur will be a speaker. Visitation will be Monday, January 12th at Striffler - Hamby from 6:00pm until 8:00 pm. A private family interment will follow in Parkhill Cemetery.

Marguerite Banks Carroll was born on November 5th, 1923 in Guerryton, Alabama, the daughter of Henry Jasper and Marguerite Downing Banks. She spent her childhood years living on the beautiful Sehoy Plantation in Guerryton. As a young adult, she married her childhood sweetheart and lifelong spouse of 60 years, Thomas Morris Carroll, Sr. The couple married on September 25, 1943 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where he was stationed during the Second World War.

Marguerite resided with her husband and children for many years in Hurtsboro, Alabama. During this time she was active in the Hurtsboro United Methodist Church teaching youth Sunday school classes. She also participated in civic groups such as, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Society of Magna Carta Dames.

The cornerstone of Marguerite's life was her commitment to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her faith and personal relationship with Christ provided strength and comfort throughout her life. In Columbus, she attended Edgewood Baptist Church for many years. She also participated in Precept Ministry Bible studies and supported the original Precept Ministry radio program. She contributed generously to many Christian charities throughout her lifetime including: Campus Crusade for Christ, Precept Ministries International, the Navigators, the Gideon's International, World Vision, Wounded Warriors, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

As a loving Christian matriarch, Marguerite impressed both her family and friends with her abiding faith. She enjoyed the role of homemaker and her children were the center of her world. She was also known for her quick wit and her love of beautiful flowers. She enjoyed flower arranging and her home in Hurtsboro was never without an abundance of African violets. Affectionately known to her six grandchildren and their spouses as "Gigi", she was also famous for her delicious oatmeal cookies.

Marguerite Banks Carroll was preceded in death by her spouse, Mr. Thomas Morris Carroll, Sr.; brother, Mr. Henry Jasper Banks; sister, Mrs. Sally Banks Torbert. Survivors include her children, Mrs. Virginia Carroll Calhoun and Dr. Charles Lewis Calhoun (spouse); Mr. Thomas Morris Carroll, Jr. and Mrs. Barbara Doub Carroll (spouse); Dr. Henry Banks Carroll and Dr. Cheryl Kennedy Carroll (spouse);all of Columbus; six grandchildren, Mrs. Marguerite Carroll Calhoun Hudson and Mr. James Frost Riley Hudson (spouse) of Columbus; Miss Virginia Camille Calhoun of Columbus; Dr. Charity Elizabeth Calhoun of Macon; Mr. Thomas Banks Carroll of Falls Church, Virginia; Mr. Henry Wilson Carroll and Mrs. Grace Flowers Carroll (spouse) of New Haven, Connecticut; Mr. Andrew Kennedy Carroll of Atlanta; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

The family of Mrs. Carroll would like to express their deepest thanks and sincere gratitude to the caretakers who blessed her life with their loving and attentive care. A special thanks goes to Gerald Cobb, Angela Smith, Linda Porter, Teresa Battle, Verlinda Hill, and Sabrina Johnson. The family would also like to thank longtime friends Mary Day and Michele Davelin for always making her look beautiful.

The family requests that donations in memory of Marguerite Carroll be made to Hurtsboro United Methodist Church, Edgewood Baptist Church, Precept Ministries International, the Navigators, and Campus Crusade for Christ. Condolences may be expressed at www.shcolumbus.com.