Beverly Ann Carroll died on October 5, 2020.
She was born in Camden, TN on May 20, 1954. Growing up in Russellville, KY and Oak Ridge, TN, she graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1972. She loved books from the time she could pick one up, and pursued her love of learning in Chattanooga, earning both BA and MA degrees from UTC. Only recently she completed coursework to become a paralegal.
Most of her professional life was spent as a journalist working first for The Chattanooga Times and later The Chattanooga Times Free Press. She covered multiple beats over the course of her career, most notably the crime beat where she became the first female reporter to do so, and the education beat during Superintendent Jesse Register’s school board tenure. She loved newspapers all of her life, from studying New York Times editorials to working their newspaper’s Sunday crossword puzzles. Beverly had other writing and research jobs including for Dodge Data and Analytics and for UT School of Medicine.
Beverly possessed a great sense of adventure, independence and joy. In her twenties, she ventured solo throughout Europe, then lived in St. Elmo and downtown Chattanooga while working in the restaurant industry and attending school. Many people will remember her cluttered purple Gremlin car. In her thirties, she settled in North Chattanooga where people know her purple house. Beverly loved North Chattanooga and cared about preserving its character and green spaces.
After beginning her professional life, Beverly also became a mother to daughter Rachael, who inherited her mom’s passions and charms. Beverly was very involved in her daughter’s life and her schools – CSLA, CSAS, Chambliss Center after-school program – and she served a term on The Chambliss Center Parent Advisory Board among other volunteer roles at those schools. Beverly and Rachael always had a houseful of cats and dogs, mostly rescued from the side of the road. Some of Beverly’s North Chattanooga neighbors became friends with her during her evening walks with her dogs.
Most of Beverly’s friends had known and loved her for decades. She adored parties with her friends, game night gatherings and watching the Chattanooga Lookouts. Always up for intellectual and political debate, Beverly’s wit and intelligence would be on full display, but if she happened to lose an argument, then her ability to laugh at herself would shine through. She cherished her friends; her heart broke when theirs did, and soared with joy with them when they celebrated.
Survivors are her daughter Rachael Summers, son-in-law Zane Luna, her parents Robbie and Gary Waters, step-brother Greg Williams (Jennifer), many extended family and several close friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Pat Carroll, step-brother James Gary Waters Jr. and her father James Carroll.
A celebration of life was held at the St. Elmo Fire Hall.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Chambliss Center for Children or ChattaNeuter through their websites.
You may visit www.jheritagechattanooga.com to share condolences to Beverly’s family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
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