Clara Dodson Carroll

Clara Dodson Carroll, age 90, of Charleston, TN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Clara was born on December 9, 1931 in Charleston, TN. She grew up working on the family farm before and after school while keeping up with her studies. She graduated in 1949 from Charleston High School as the Valedictorian. She worked for Bell South both in Spartanburg, SC and Cleveland, TN before taking some time to be a homemaker. She then worked for Duracell and the spousal program at M&M Mars where she also decorated their Christmas trees for many years. She was a beloved and faithful member of New Friendship Baptist Church where she served as both the pianist and organist for most of her life. She loved gardening and cooking for others. She had an amazing talent for creating crafts to sell or give away to brighten someone’s day. In recent years she had worked at the Craft Castle and Ace Hardware tending to the flowers and plants while sharing her unique gifts and knowledge with others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter W Dodson and Bessie E Duggan Dodson; her husband of 42 years John L Carroll and her brother John William “Bill” Dodson.

She is survived by her son Randy Carroll and his wife Lisa; grandson Zachary Carroll and his wife Monica all of Cleveland, TN; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at New Friendship Baptist Church Cleveland, TN with funeral services to follow at 4:00 pm. Pastor Eric Atkins will be officiating with music by Jack Sanders. Graveside services will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 2 pm. A funeral procession will leave from Companion Funeral Home on Monday at 1:30pm. Pallbearers include Isaac Adkins, Zachary Carroll, Shane Geren, Taylor Newman, Josh Sanders and Jakie Starnes. Honorary pallbearers are the members of New Friendship Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Friendship Baptist Church 1344 Chatata Valley Rd Cleveland, TN 37323.