Nancy L. Carroll
Nancy Louise Carroll, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara on October 6, 2026.
She was the only child of Donald and Jessie Kingsley, born in Rockford, Illinois, on July 29, 1930, where she spent her early childhood. When she was 7, the family moved to Santa Barbara, where she spent the rest of her life. She attended Franklin School, La Colina Junior High, and graduated from Santa Barbara High School. After attending Santa Barbara City College, she worked in the engineering department at GTE (General Telephone Company) until she met the love of her life.
The first time she met her husband, Stuart (shortly after he returned from the Korean War), she said, “From the first moment I met him, I knew he was the one for me.” They were married for almost 69 years, and together they raised three children and built a close, loving family.
Nancy worked as secretary to the principal of Vieja Valley Elementary School for 25 years. She had fond memories of those years touching the lives of so many students. Years later, she would be in the grocery store or somewhere around town, and a former student would come up to her, hug her, and say, “Mrs. Carroll, do you remember me?” She would grin and say, “Well, you were 12 years old last time I saw you, and now you are 6′2″ with a beard.” They would laugh, but once he told her his name, she remembered all his siblings and parents.
Nancy was a long-time member of Las Fiesteros Dance Club, a lifetime member of the California Parent Teachers Association, and, in her younger years, a volunteer at Cottage Hospital.
After retirement, Nancy and Stuart enjoyed traveling with the Elks #613 motorhome group around the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. They were also blessed to be able to travel and explore many countries around the world.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Stuart, and her daughter Karen.
Nancy is survived by her son Stuart Carroll Jr. and wife Lori; daughter Kathleen, husband Robert Fontenot; three grandchildren, Stuart Curry, Morgan Fontenot, and Shayna Carroll, husband Michael; two great-grandchildren, Tatum Curry-Gibson, husband Braden, and Chandler Gilliland, wife Gracie; and her great-great-grandson McCoy. Tatum and Braden are expecting her first great-great granddaughter, arriving in December 2026.
Nancy will be remembered for her strength, courage, and loving devotion to her family. She will be missed by all that knew her, including her cute fluffy little puppy, Chelsea Carroll.
