Obituary for Rufus “Rudy” Franklin Carroll Rufus Franklin “Rudy” Carroll, 85, of Corsicana passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends Friday, October 26, 2018 at Baylor Dallas. Rudy was born at home in Barry, Texas on October 31, 1932 to James William and Blanche Estelle Carroll. He attended school in Blooming Grove and Italy, Texas where he assisted his father in the family grocery business.
He was recruited to play football for Waxahachie and rode the Interurban train daily – 15 cents each way – from Italy to Waxahachie High School. He was the 1952 All District player of the year and graduated from Waxahachie High School. After graduation, he joined the Naval Reserve and served on active duty until December 1954.
Upon his release from service, Rudy attended Navarro College on an athletic scholarship and the GI Bill where he played football and served as Student Body President. He also played football at (Southwest) Texas State University. Rudy married the love of his life, Billie Morris Carroll, in 1958.
He started his sales career with S & B Drug Corp in Crockett, Texas where their son, Bob, was born. They moved to Corsicana in 1966, where he joined Chattanooga Glass, working in various capacities until his retirement in 1995. Rudy was a true people person and never met a stranger.
He lived to serve others and spent countless hours coaching youth baseball and served as Youth Exposition Center Chairman, Chairman of the Trade West TPRA & Derrick Days Rodeo Committee, and as President of the Navarro College Alumni Association. He was honored to receive the Navarro County Senior Citizen Volunteer Award. He officiated local high school and Jr. College football and baseball games for over twenty years.
Rudy loved to cook and was known around Corsicana for his fabulous brisket, ribs, and steaks. His favorite activity was teaching young people to give a firm handshake and “to look you in the eye”. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and was passionate about serving His Lord.
He served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for numerous terms and helped guide the church through critical building and maintenance campaigns. Rudy was instrumental in starting the “Special Projects” committee in 1980 which implemented the Wednesday Night Supper Program, providing opportunities for fellowship and stewardship for the church under his leadership for 38 years. He served as an usher for over 45 years and as head usher for the past 20 years.
Rudy adored his two grandchildren and spent countless hours helping them with 4-H projects, cooking with and for them, and sharing lots of stories with – and about – them. They called him “Der,” others called him Uncle Rudy, or Mr. Rudy, but we all called him loved. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, James William and Blanche Estelle, brothers, William Erwin, James Doyle, Ray Dean, and his beloved son, Bob Carroll.
His sister, and remaining sibling, Frances Carroll Holdeman, went to be with the Lord just a few hours after Rudy. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Billie Morris Carroll, sister-in-law, Donna Penney and husband Gary, grandchildren, Cody and Rylie, and by Tammy Carroll Jones and her husband, Dan, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 6 pm to 8 pm Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Corley Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be held at 10 am Monday, October 29, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, Corsicana, TX. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Blooming Grove, TX. Honorary Pallbearers are the Board of Trustees and Ushers of First United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers are Matt Penney, Andy Penney, Dean Pritchett, David Berry, Mike Cain, Zachary Herrin, Wade Carroll, and Bill Carroll. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Special Projects Committee: 320 North 15th Street, Corsicana, Texas 75110. An online guestbook is available at www.
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