Obituary: Deborah Ervin Carroll
Deborah Ervin Carroll, of Kinston, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on May 10, 2026.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Edwards Funeral Home from 5-7 PM. A Mass of Celebration will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, 11:00 AM, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Kinston, NC. Burial will immediately follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park. Immediately following the burial, the family welcomes friends to visit at the home.
Raised in Jones County, Deborah grew up on a farm, where she learned early on how to handle whatever came her way. A commonly told story says it all—when a sow was struggling to deliver piglets and her daddy wasn’t around, she didn’t hesitate. She stepped in and took care of it herself. That moment stuck with her, and from then on, she knew she was meant to be a nurse.
She began her nursing career in 1987. She spent many years in labor and delivery, doing work she truly loved—helping bring new life into the world. She later transitioned to dialysis, where she continued caring for patients with the same steady hands and no-nonsense approach until 2025.
Deborah was the backbone of her family. She worked full-time but always took care of her family, cooking meals and decorating for every holiday.
She was strong-willed and never afraid to speak her mind, but she loved deeply and cared fiercely for her family.
She loved planting flowers and working in the yard, always taking pride in making things grow. She had a lifelong love for animals and always had pets as part of the family.
She especially loved being “Grandma” to Carter and Cameron Hill and treasured every moment she spent with them.
Deborah shared 47 years of marriage with her husband, Bobby Carroll. Together, they built a life centered around their family, spending time fishing and simply enjoying being together.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George “Buck” Ervin and Mildred Ervin, and her brother, Marshall Gilbert.
She is survived by her husband, Bobby Carroll; her daughters, Kimberly Hill and partner Matt of Kinston, and Dianna Sasser and husband Bradley of Winterville; her sisters, Kathy Collins and husband Randy of Raleigh, and Susan Eiben and husband Gabe of Wilson; her beloved grandsons, Carter and Cameron Hill; and several nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered for her strength, her honesty, her work ethic, and the way she took care of the people she loved—on her own terms. She loved hard, worked harder, and never backed down—from life or from cancer.
Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be made at www.edwardsfhc.com
