Myrtle "Jean" Carroll

Myrtle “Jean” Carroll, 88, of Fairborn, Ohio, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Born March 17, 1938, in Allock, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Sam and Etta Mae (Metcalfe) Steele.

Jean earned a master’s degree in education and devoted 30 years to teaching kindergarten and third grade at Bethel Local Schools. A dedicated educator, she shaped generations of children with her presence.

A woman of strong family values, Jean was practical, hardworking, and generous. Her creativity shone in the kitchen and in sewing and needlework, where her care and creativity were evident in everything she made. After retiring with her beloved husband, Jerry “Pete” Carroll, Jean embraced adventure—traveling the country in their Airstream and later dividing her time between Ohio and Punta Gorda, Florida. In recent years she quietly cared for Pete during his struggle with dementia while surrounded by family in Fairborn.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Kathleen, Billie, Bobbie, and Idell; and daughter-in-law Pam Carroll. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Jerry “Pete” Carroll; children James “Jim” Carroll, Melissa Mirenda, and Donna (Mark) Lawson; grandchildren Eric Bond, Jessica Skapik-Bridenbaugh, (Danny), Samantha Mirenda; and step grandchildren Stephanie (Nick) Lutz, Skylar Smyth, and Nathan (Robin) Rambo; great-grandchildren Kaylen, Keagen, Trinity, Jamie, Monroe, Paisley Mae, Declan, Walker, Hailey, Joslynn, River, Walker: and step grandchildren Mya, Wyatt, Anthony, Hayden, Peyton, Alyson, and Autumn; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairborn Senior Citizen Center at 325 N. 3rd Street, Fairborn Ohio, followed by a Celebration of Life on Sunday May 24th 2:30 doors open and 3:15 ceremony. Dinner will be served afterwards.

Arrangements are entrusted to Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton Yellow Springs Rd, Fairborn, OH 45324.