Barbara Jean Carrell

Barbara Jean Carrell

Published 12:00 am Friday, January 10, 2025

Barbara Jean Carrell
TYLER — Barbara Jean (Conner) Carrell passed peacefully into glory with her Savior on January 1, 2025. She was born March 15, 1935 in Loudon County, Tennessee, just south of Knoxville, to John Floyd Conner and Myrtle Emaline Schaffer. She was the youngest of 11 children, born just after her twin, Bobby Dean Conner, who later was lost to a childhood disease at age 18 months. The family lived in a beautiful, rural setting along the banks of the Tennessee River in the Smoky Mountains. They were a devoted Christian family: her father was clerk of the Session for the local Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he also served as Trustee of Loudon County. Barbara would often help her father with his re-election campaigns and with his work in the County Courthouse. Her mother, known for her deep devotion to the Lord, was a faithful wife and mother who worked tirelessly for her family, the church, and the community.
Barbara attended Bethel College in McKenzie, TN where she met her beloved Joe in the music department, both vocalists. They married in 1956 and immediately moved to Ft. Worth, TX where Joe enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, beginning a 45-year ministry of music at First Baptist Church, Tyler, TX and Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin, TX. Barbara was always at his side, faithfully supporting him, working part-time jobs, and raising the family. She sang in the choirs, directed children’s choirs, and taught children’s Bible and discipleship classes for many years. An outstanding cook, she delighted in preparing meals for her family and hosting special events and holidays. She loved working outdoors, beautifying areas, and playing tennis.
She faithfully passed down her strong faith in Christ to her children and grandchildren. She was loving and so very encouraging to her family and to others, always seeing the best in them. She had great empathy for others who were hurting, truly living out Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe T. Carrell, her parents, and ten siblings: Leroy Conner, Josephine Phillips, Manita Faye Montgomery, Kenneth Conner, Mildred Reighard, Dexter Conner, Leon Conner, Helen Schrodt, Rev. J.F. “Jerry” Conner, and Bobby Dean Conner. Left to cherish her memory are sons Timothy Carrell of Lufkin, TX, Stephen Carrell (Jamye) of Dallas, TX, and Daniel Carrell (Shelly) of Tyler, TX; grandchildren Sarah (Jay) Netherton, Rebecca (Ryan) Wilkerson, Rachel Carrell, Mandy Bertino (Tannin), Matthew Carrell, and Ethan Carrell; great-grandchildren Calvin Netherton, Cooper Netherton, Chloe Wilkerson, Gracie Wilkerson, Maria Bertino, and Sophia Bertino; and sisters-in-law Panthea (Mrs. Leon) Conner of Cleveland, TN and Norma (Mrs. J.F.) Conner of Lakeland, FL, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday January 11th, 2025, at Tyler Orthodox Presbyterian Church, with reception following. A private family graveside will be earlier in the morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ligonier Ministries or The Center for Christian Music Studies at Baylor University. Arrangements provided by Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.