Barbara Ann (Nelson) Carroll transitioned at the age of 89 on June 19, 2024, at her home in Dunbar, WV surrounded by family and friends.

Barbara was the only child born to Dr. James H. Nelson, Jr and Elizabeth O. (Connor) Nelson on March 10, 1935 in Covington, VA. With unwavering strength and abundant love, she embraced the role of a single mother, and successfully raised three children, James "Chip"III, Janice and Maria.

Barbara graduated Salutatorian from Garnet High School in Charleston, WV, Class of '53, where she was inducted into the Garnet High School Hall of Fame.  She received her BA in Sociology from Howard University, Washington, DC, Class of '57 , and her MA in Guidance and Counseling from Marshall University, Huntington, WV, Class of '70.  She pursued additional education credits while attending West Virginia State College in Institute, WV when she returned from Frankfurt, West Germany in 1964, and Kean University in Elizabeth, NJ in 1984.

After graduating from Howard University, Barbara worked as a clerk typist for the US Department of Commerce.  She had a rewarding career as an elementary school teacher for twenty-five years where she loved to teach students how to read. Her first grade students were her favorite. Barbara began her teaching career in the Cabell County Public School System in Huntington, WV before serving twenty-one years for the School District of the Chathams in Chatham, NJ.  For several years, she volunteered as a tutor for underprivileged children in Newark, NJ. She also worked as a family counselor for Family Services, Inc. in Huntington, WV.  Barbara retired from School District of the Chathams in 1993 and moved back to WV to care for her father.  During her retirement, she worked in the library at West Virginia State College for a few years.

Barbara was very involved in several organizations throughout her lifetime.  Her professional affiliations included the National Education Association, West Virginia Teachers Association, New Jersey Education Association and the Morris County Council of Education Association. She served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, and the Charleston Women's Improvement League,  Member of the Garnet Reunion Committee, Henry Highland Garnet Foundation, and the LINKS.

Following in her mother's footsteps, Barbara was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, until dementia got the best of her. She founded the Theta Omega Chapter at Marshall University in Huntington, WV.  She served as the Recording Secretary of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter and chaired several committees. Barbara also served as the President and Treasurer of the Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter.  She held the distinguished role of State Coordinator for West Virginia on the Midwest Leadership Team and dedicated some of her time as the Membership Intake Trainer, as well as the Advisor for the Alpha Delta Chapter at West Virginia State University.

Not only was she active in her Sorority, Barbara was also an active member of First Baptist Church Charleston.  Her involvement included Church Clerk, Sunday School Teacher, member of the Newsome Gospel Chorus (Past President), the Sanctuary Choir, and Consecrated Praise Team, and Past Director of Christian Education.  She was elected "Woman of the Year" in 1997.

Barbara's favorite past-time was spending time with her four grandsons.  She  loved sports and spent her weekends watching football and basketball, especially WVU. She also loved to travel, including visiting her family, singing in her soprano voice, and arts and crafts.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. James H. and Elizabeth O. Nelson, several aunts and uncles and cousins. She is survived by her children, James "Chip" Carroll III (Marcia) of Hopewell Junction, NY; Janice Carroll of Chesapeake Beach, MD;  and Maria Brown (Russell) of Dunbar, WV; her grandchildren, Staff Sergeant (USMC) Jordan Carroll of Jacksonville, NC; Darryl "DJ" Walker, Jr of Chesapeake Beach, MD; Scott Carroll of Boston, MA; and Sean Brown of Dunbar, WV; and a host of cousins and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her caregivers Crystal Ingram and Tammy Carroll-Martin for their love and care for our Mom.

A Homegoing Celebration for Barbara will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, at First Baptist Church Charleston, 432 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV 25301.  Interment will immediately follow in Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens, 5233 Rocky Fork Road, Cross Lanes, WV 25313.

Family will welcome visitors one hour prior to the service with Omega Omega Ceremony (DST) starting at 11:30 a.m.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.
www.kellerfuneralhome.net