Tony R. "Duke" Carroll, 84, of Benton, departed this life peacefully on December 19, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family.

He was born on April 10, 1941, Springtown to the late Monroe and Delzia Chastain Carroll.  He married the love of his life Billie Bates, and they were married over 50 years until her death.

Duke was a 1960 graduate of POCOHI and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  He later retired from Conasauga River Lumber Company and was a Deacon at Mtn. View Baptist Church.  Throughout the years, Duke coached little league baseball, enjoying those years with fellow coaches, Howard Cheek and Nook Jones.  One of his favorite past times was crappie fishing with his son Cicero and nephew Punk, along with his brother-in-law, Mickey "Jack" Bates.  He was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and rooted for them from an early age and stayed loyal to his team.  He loved watching the Polk County Wildcats and the Wildcat football was his team and he loved "Cat Country."

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his faithful and loving wife, Ms. Billie Bates Carroll; brother, Milburn "Buster" Carroll; sisters, Betty Sue "Boo-Boo" Dalton, and Doris "Snake" Rogers.

Left to cherish the many memories include his 3 sons, Gary "P-hoot" Carroll, David "Cicero" Carroll and his wife, Debbie, and Jonathan "Bump" Carroll; grandchildren, Alison "Sweet Pea" (Chris) Lee, Courtney "Mort" (Cody) Schmidt, Taylor "Precious" Carroll, Autumn "Egg" Carroll, Cody Young, Carson "Fess" Carroll, Chloe (T-Poo) Carroll; great-grandchildren, Kate Lee, and Carter Schmidt; sister, Nina "Mop" McNelley. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Terry Daniels officiating.  A graveside committal service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Burchfield Cemetery, with Bobby "Rat" Wilson, Chris Dalton, Dylan Davis, Travis Carroll, Barry Carroll, Daniel "Boonie" Dalton, Terry "Scoot" Dalton, and Dustin McNelley serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary "Punk" Dalton, Malcolm "Toe" Dalton, Danny "Duce" Carroll, Mickey Rogers, Hoss Rogers, Doug McNelley, and Larry McNelley.

His family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.higginsfunerals.com.

Higgins Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of arrangements.