Rebecca Lynn McCarroll died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Townsend, Tennessee, on November 7, 2025. She lived a full and varied life marked by strength, curiosity, and compassion. Born and raised in East Tennessee, she spent her early and later years in the communities of Elizabethton, Kingston, Knoxville, and Townsend. Throughout her life, she also lived in Virginia and Hawaii, places that added to her unique experiences and shaped the many stories she carried.

Throughout her life, she was known by the names Mackie, Susie, and Becka, each one reflecting a different chapter of her life and the people who loved her.

In her early years, while living in Hawaii, she worked as a model and earned her black belt in karate, accomplishments that reflected her confidence, discipline, and determination. She later devoted many years to emergency medical services, serving as both a paramedic and an EMT instructor. She was also proud to be one of the first women to serve with the Carter County Rescue Squad, breaking barriers during a time when women were rare in the field. Her deep interest in anatomy and the human body guided her work, and her service allowed her to help countless people and leave a meaningful impact on her community.

Beyond her professional life, Rebecca was a Biblical scholar, an avid reader and writer, and a lifelong rescuer of dogs, caring for animals with unwavering devotion. In her retirement years, she poured her time and heart into providing educational support and enrichment to children, offering consistency, structure, and encouragement to the young people she worked with.

Rebecca’s faith was a central part of her life. She was passionate about Jesus and carried a quiet confidence in the promise of heaven. She was not afraid of death and often spoke with peace and assurance about the day she would be with the Lord. Her faith shaped her strength, her decisions, and the compassion she showed throughout her life.

She will be remembered for her beauty inside and out, her sharp and highly intelligent mind, her independence, and the many passions that defined her life’s journey.

Rebecca is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

— Proverbs 31:31

A Celebration of Life/Visitation will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Eastern) at Foothills Funeral Home, 910 E Lincoln Rd, Maryville, TN.

For those who wish to send flowers, arrangements may be delivered to Foothills Funeral Home for the service. The funeral home works with Coulter’s Flowers in Maryville (865-982-9300). Please request delivery by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 17, for “Rebecca McCarroll.”

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