Carroll Lynn Campbell was born April 16, 1943, at Richards Memorial Hospital in Paducah, Texas. She departed this life on August 29, 2026, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the shadow of her beloved Pikes Peak.
Carroll was born to R.E. Campbell, Jr. and Lucretia Estes Campbell. They named their new daughter after Dr. Carroll, the delivery room doctor. It wasn’t until elementary school that Carroll discovered her name was the “boy spelling,” so in the first of what became a lifetime of headstrong acts, she changed her name to the “girl spelling” and became “Carol” to all who knew her. It wasn’t until she moved to Colorado that Carol was told the name on her driver’s license had to match her birth certificate, so once again Carol became Carroll—at least for legal purposes.
Carol led a busy, lively, interesting life. She was a loving daughter, a devoted mom, a feisty sister and sister-in-law, a boisterous cousin, a fun-loving aunt and a loyal friend. She had a passion for nature and throughout her life enjoyed bird watching, rock collecting, camping, hiking, fly fishing and visiting national parks. Carol was curious, energetic and fiercely opinionated—as anyone who ever talked politics with her knows. She was a lifelong learner open to seeing new sights and trying new activities, readily embracing experiences that came her way. Carol thrived in the company of friends and family, but also treasured her solitude, her quiet time to reflect and recharge.
Carol grew up in Matador and attended Matador schools. She cherished her small-town upbringing surrounded by cousins galore and watched over by grandparents, aunts and uncles. In third grade she met Janie Waybourn, and the two girls formed a fast friendship that lasted almost 75 years. Carol’s co-conspirator in many childhood adventures was her cousin Robin Darsey. Together they made mischief and forged treasured memories, including the time Robin came to the rescue when Carol choked after swallowing a jack. Carol graduated from Matador High School in 1961. Her close circle of high school friends nicknamed themselves “The Skeelas” and maintained lifelong friendships, reuniting regularly over the coming decades, always keeping Matador as their home base.
In June 1961, Carol married James Smith Allison of McLean, Texas. Her son, James Todd Allison, was born and grew up in Mc-Lean where Carol enjoyed a busy life as wife, mom, and homemaker. She was a wonderful cook and baked the best Italian Cream cake. Carol loved cats and always had one or two feline friends with her wherever she went.
In the late 1970s, Carol closed the chapter on her life in McLean and headed for the DFW metroplex to attend the University of Texas at Arlington. She became a proud friend of Bill W. and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in social work. While an undergraduate, Carol was an award-winning feature writer for the Arlington Citizen-Journal. After graduation Carol worked for Williamson County and later Dallas County. There she joined with Judge John Creuzot in helping to shape and run the newly created Divert Court, a court designed to keep youthful drug offenders out of the prison system and into rehabilitative programs and jobs. Carol always considered her work with these youngpeopleatremendous source of pride.
After retirement, Carol returned to her roots and the family home in Matador. She spent the next 20 years enjoying smalltown life once again. Carol enjoyed writing feature stories and her “Campbell Soup” column for The Motley County Tribune, tackling civic projects (the jail renovation was her favorite endeavor), camping in Caprock Canyons State Park, and going on digs with the Texas Archeological Society. Carol spent many happy years with her mom, Lucretia, starting each day sipping coffee on the back deck and listening to the birds.
In her final big adventure, Carol said goodbye to the old Matador homeplace and headed for the mountains of Colorado. The last years of her life were spent in the company of her Colorado family enjoying new scenery, cooler temperatures, stunning views of the mountains, and a decidedly left-leaning environment, a fact she never hesitated to emphasize to others. At age 81, Carol traveled to Glacier National Park, finally able to check that destination off her bucket list. She visited both the American and Canadian sides of Glacier where she hiked and boated and found a new favorite place among the many favorite places of her lifetime of travels.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, sister Charlotte, brother Richard, and Estes cousins Joanne Darsey Stevens and Robin Darsey.
Carol is survived by her son Todd; her Campbell cousin Gary, her sister-inlaw Ann Campbell Huffman, and all their extended Campbell families; Estes cousins Patti Pipkin Alexander, Neal Pipkin, Gerald Pipkin, Laura Jacobs Wallace, Sharon York, Barry York, Fritz Shankle and all their extended families; the extended family of Robin Darsey; five nieces, Charise, Chay, Sherry, Jana, and Rebekah; two nephews, Mitch and Byron; eight great-nieces, Cameron, Caitlin, Callan, Samantha, Ashlyn, Katie, Faith and Avery; six great-nephews, Tye, Brennan, Travis, Wyatt, Cooper and Asher; one great-great niece, Charlie; and three great-great nephews Hayes, Nash and Luke.
In memory of Carol, the family hopes you’ll spend time enjoying the great outdoors, swapping stories with those you love, or sharing a good cup of coffee and a lively conversation with a friend.
A graveside service for Carol will be held in Matador in the spring.