Obituary

Kenneth (“Ken”) Carroll, 74, of Chesterfield, Virginia went to be with the Lord on December 25, 2023, surrounded lovingly by his beloved wife of 52 years, Joyce (Farmer) and their two sons.

Ken was preceded in death by his father John W. Carroll, Sr.; mother Opal Carroll; and brothers Ralph Carroll (Shelby), Ray Carroll (Maggie), and Raymond Carroll (Betty). 

He is survived and missed by his loving wife Joyce Ann (Farmer) Carroll, and his sons, Christopher Aaron Carroll (Cheryl) and Andrew Nathan Carroll (Lisa); sisters Edna Huston (Leon) and Wanda Carroll; brothers Wayne Carroll (Mary) and John Carroll (Karen).  Forever cherished and remembered by his five grandchildren, Ryan Alexander Carroll, Ethan Austin Carroll, Lauren Elise Carroll, Kyle Davis Carroll, and Troy Logan Carroll, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces, and a goddaughter.   

Ken was born on November 18, 1949 to Opal and John W. Carroll, Sr. in Sand Gap, Kentucky.  Ken was raised humbly with his seven siblings in rural Kentucky.  He graduated from Jackson County High School in 1967 and Eastern Kentucky University in 1972, with a degree in Industrial Arts.  In his youth, Ken loved hunting, fishing, and played a fierce game of billiards.   

Ken and Joyce married in 1971 in Tyner, Kentucky. In 1974, they moved to Chesterfield, Virginia, which they have called home for more than 40 years.  In Virginia, Ken established himself as a successful home builder and property-owner. 

Ken had a big smile and a contagious laugh.  Although he was private and soft-spoken, he was witty and had a great sense of humor.  An avid reader, Ken possessed extensive knowledge of nature (animals, plants, you name it), sports, history, politics, and the Bible.  He was a skilled woodworker and could build or fix anything, as his vast tool collection attests to.  Ken was happiest when spending time with his family.  He and his sons enjoyed years of hunting and fishing together, including hunting snapping turtles when they visited family in Kentucky.  Ken loved being in nature, whether it be hunting, fishing, farming, or hiking.    

Ken especially treasured time with his cherished grandchildren, with whom he spent countless hours pushing strollers and swings, tossing a football or baseball, building forts and legos, and making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Ken’s grandchildren have inherited his love of nature and were blessed to enjoy many fishing and hunting trips with him in the past few years. 

Ken was strong in spirit and in will, and his strength undoubtedly helped him battle cancer multiple times over the past 20 years. We know that he is free from pain and enjoying the first few days of eternal life with his Heavenly Father. 

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Kenneth’s funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23234. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 2901 W Hundred Road, Chester, VA 23831.